"Yea, in Israel," said the old wife with a chuckle."Israel was the kernel of our perplexities.The good Flemings saw no farther than their noses, and laughed at Willebald when he began his ventures.When success came, it was easy to win them over, and by admitting them to a share in our profits get them to fling their caps in the air and huzza for their benefactors.But the Jews were a tougher stock.Mark you, father, when God blinded their eyes to the coming of the Lord Christ, He opened them very wide to all lower matters.Their imagination is quick to kindle, and they are as bold in merchantcraft as Charlemagne in war.They saw what I was after before Ihad been a month at it, and were quick to profit by my foresight.There are but two ways to deal with Israelites--root them from the face of the earth or make them partners with you.Willebald would have fought them; I, more wise, bought them at a price.For two score years they have wrought faithfully for me.You say well, a mother in Israel!""I could wish that a Christian lady had no dealings with the accursed race," said the Cluniac.
"You could wish folly," was the tart answer."I am not as your burgher folk, and on my own affairs I take no man's guiding, be he monk or merchant.Willebald is long dead; may he sleep in peace, He was no mate for me, but for what he gave me I repaid him in the coin he loved best.He was a proud man when he walked through the Friday Market with every cap doffed.
He was ever the burgher, like the child I bore him.""I had thought the marriage more fruitful.They spoke of two children, a daughter and a son."The woman turned round in her bed so that she faced him.The monkey whimpered and she cuffed its ears.Her face was sharp and exultant, and for a sick person her eyes were oddly bright.