"Ah, well," she answered, throwing back her head, a half-smile coming to
her pale lips, "it is but a sentiment, and I could forego it, I suppose.
One must give up little things sometimes for great."
"Yes; and this would be but the first. My children, there is something
radically wrong when we have to overlook and excuse so much before
marriage. 'Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof;' and why should we
add trouble to days already burdened before they come?"
"We should find all this no trouble," said Kemp; "and what is to trouble us
after? We have now the wherewithal for our happiness; what, in God's name,
do you ask for more?"
"As I have said, Dr. Kemp, we are an earnest people. Marriage is a step
not entered into lightly. Divorce, for this reason, is seldom heard of
with us, and for this reason we have few unhappy marriages. We know
beforehand what we have to expect from every quarter. No question I have
put would be necessary with a Jew. His ways are ours, and, with few
exceptions, a woman has nothing but happiness to expect from him. How am I
sure of this with you? In a moment of anger this difference of faith may
be flung in each other's teeth, and what then?"
"You mean you cannot trust me."
The quiet, forceful words were accompanied by no sign of emotion.
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