“She is such an interfering woman.  Her fingers are in everyone’s way and really, John, she has got the charitable affairs of Hatton town in her hands.  The girls’ clubs rely on her for everything, and she gives without any consideration, John.  How much is her husband worth?  Is he very rich?  She appears to have no end of money—­and John, dear, she is always in my way.  I don’t know how she manages it, but she is.  I wish you would get them out of our town, dear.”

“I cannot, Jane.  Levy is a large property-owner.  He is not indigent.  He is not lazy.  He is not in any way immoral.  He has become a large taxpayer, and has of late political aspirations.  He annoys me frequently, but money is now everything.  And he has money—­plenty of it.  Until he came, we were the richest family in Hatton.  Father and I have really built Hatton.  We have spent thousands of pounds in making it a model community, but we have received little gratitude.  I think, Jane, that men have more respect for those who make money, than for those who give it away.”

“You don’t like Mr. Levy, do you, John?”

“He annoys me very frequently.  It is not easy to like people who do that.”

“His wife annoys me.  Cannot we make up some plan to put them down a peg or two?”

“We can do nothing against them, my dear.”

“Why, John?”

“Because ‘God beholdeth mischief and spite to requite it.’  And after all, these Levys are only trying to win public respect and that by perfectly honorable means.  True they are pushing, but no one can push Yorkshire men and women beyond their own opinions and their own interests.  In the meantime, they are helpful to the town.”

“Mrs. Swale, of Woodleigh, told me she had heard that Mrs. Levy came from the Lake District and is a Christian.  Do you believe that, John?”

“Not for a minute.  Mr. Levy is a Hebrew of long and honorable descent.  His family came from Spain to England in the time of Henry the Seventh.  Such Jews never marry Christian women.  I do not believe either love or money could make them do it.  I have no doubt that Mrs. Levy has a family record as ancient and as honorable as her husband’s.  She is a kind-hearted woman and really handsome.  She has four beautiful sons.  I tell you, Jane, when she stands in the midst of them she is a sight worth looking at.”

Jane laughed scornfully, and Jane’s husband continued with decided emotion, “Yes, indeed, when you see Mrs. Levy with her four sons you see a woman in her noblest attribute.  You see her as the mother of men.”

“What is Mr. Levy’s business?  Who knows?”

“Everyone in Hatton knows that he is an importer of Spanish wines and fine tobaccos.”

“Oh!  The ladies generally thought he was a money lender.”

“He may be—­it is not unlikely.”

“Mrs. Swale said so.”

“I dare say Mrs. Swale’s husband knows.”