Mrs. Nodelman, who met me in the hall, offered me a
tempestuous welcome
"Here he is! Better late than never," she shrieked, hoarsely, as I
entered the hall at the head of the high stoop. "I was gettin'
uneasy. Honest I was." And dropping her voice: "Miss
Kalmanovitch came on time. She's a good girl. Always." And she
gave me a knowing look that brought the color to my face and a
coy smile into hers
Her husband appeared a minute later. After greeting me warmly he
whispered into my ear: "Nobody knows anything about it, not
even the young lady. Only her mother does."
But I soon discovered that he was mistaken. My appearance
produced a sensation, and the telltale glances of the women from
me to a large girl with black eyes who stood at the mantelpiece
not only showed plainly that they knew all about "it," but also
indicated who of the young women present was Miss
Kalmanovitch
The spacious parlor was literally jammed. The hostess led the way
through the throng, introducing me to the guests as we proceeded.
There were Nodelman's father and mother among them, the
gigantic old tailor grinning childishly by the side of his wife, who
looked glum
"That one, with the dark eves, by the mantelpiece," Meyer
Nodelman whispered to me, eagerly
The girl pointed out was large and plump, with full ivory-hued
cheeks, and a dimple in her fleshy chin.
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