the Cohens, who certainly bore no
obvious stamp of distinction in sorrow or in any other form of aristocracy. Ezra
Cohen was not clad in the sublime pathos of the martyr, and his taste for
money-getting seemed to be favoured with that success which has been the most
exasperating difference in the greed of Jews during all the ages of their
dispersion. This Jeshurun of a pawnbroker was not a symbol of the great Jewish
tragedy; and yet was there not something typical in the fact that a life like
Mordecai's - a frail incorporation of the national consciousness, breathing with
difficult breath - was nested in the self-gratulating ignorant prosperity of the
Cohens?
    Glistening was the gladness in their faces when Deronda reappeared among
them. Cohen himself took occasion to intimate that although the diamond ring,
let alone a little longer, would have bred more money, he did not mind that -
not a sixpence - when compared with the pleasure of the women and children in
seeing a young gentleman whose first visit had been so agreeable that they had
done nothing but talk of it ever since. Young Mrs. Cohen was very sorry that
baby was asleep, and then very glad that Adelaide was not yet gone to bed,
entreating Deronda not to stay in the shop but to go forthwith into the parlour
to see mother and the children. He willingly accepted the invitation, having
provided himself with portable presents; a set of paper figures for Adelaide,
and an ivory cup and ball for Jacob.
    The grandmother had a pack of cards before her and was making plates with
the children. A plate had just been thrown down and kept itself whole.
    »Stop!« said Jacob, running up to Deronda as he entered. »Don't tread on my
plate. Stop and see me throw it up again.«
    Deronda complied, exchanging a smile of understanding with the grandmother,
and the plate bore several tossings before it came to pieces; then the visitor
was allowed to come forward and seat himself. He observed that the door from
which Mordecai had issued on the former visit was now closed, but he wished to
show his interest in the Cohens before disclosing a yet stronger interest in
their singular inmate.
    It was not until he had Adelaide on his knee, and was setting up the paper
figures in their dance on the table, while Jacob was already practising with the
cup and ball, that Deronda said -
    »Is Mordecai in just now?«
    »Where is he, Addy?« said Cohen, who had seized an interval of business to
come and look on.
    »In the workroom there