590
PARTISAN REVIEW
this
girl.
She is a doll. Also very intelligent. All day you could talk
to her about books and theyater and what not. She also knows cur–
rent events."
"I don't believe you mentioned her age?"
"Her age?" Salzman said, raising his brows in surprise. "Her
age is thirty-two years."
Leo said after a while, "I'm afraid that seems a little too old."
Salzman let out a laugh. "So how old are you, rabbi?"
"Twenty-seven."
"So what is the difference, tell me, between twenty-seven and
thirty-two? My own wife is seven years older than me. So what did
I suffer? -Nothing.
If
Rothschild's a daughter wants to marry you,
would you say on account her age, no?"
"Yes," Leo said dryly.
Salzman shook off the no in the yes. "Five years don't mean
a thing. I give you my word that when you will live with her for
one week you will forget her age. What does it mean five years–
that she lived more and knows more than somebody who is younger?
On this girl, God bless her, years are not wasted. Each one that it
comes makes better the bargain."
"What subject does she teach in high school?"
"Languages.
If
you heard the way she reads French, you will
think it is music. I am in the business twenty-five years, and I recom–
mend her with my whole heart. Believe me, I know what I'm talking,
rabbi."
"What's on the next card?" Leo said abruptly.
Salzman reluctantly turned up the third card:
"Ruth K. Nineteen years. Honor student. Father offers thirteen
thousand dollars cash to the right bridegroom. He is a medical doc–
tor. Stomach specialist with marvelous practice. Brother-in-law owns
own garment business. Particular people."
Salzman looked up as if he had read his trump card.
"Did you say nineteen?" Leo asked with interest.
"On the dot."
"Is she attractive?" He blushed. "Pretty?"
Salzman kissed his fingertips. "A little doll. On this I give you
my word. Let me call the father tonight and you will see what means
pretty."
