Everyone really seemed to like him and no one was rude to him, though almost all owed him money. He was himself as free from malice as a hen, and, seeing the general goodwill with which he was regarded, he even swaggered a little, but with such simple-hearted absurdity that he was forgiven at once. Lutchka who had known many Jews in his day often teased him and not out of ill-feeling, but simply for diversion, just as one teases dogs, parrots, or any sort of trained animal. Isay Fomitch saw that clearly, was not in the least offended and answered him back adroitly.

“Hey, Jew, I’ll give you a dressing!”

“You give me one blow and I’ll give you ten,” Isay Fomitch would respond gallantly.

“You damned scab!”

“I don’t care if I am.”

“You itching Jew!”