“Oh, the lovely sole!” exclaimed Trina.

“I got this one at Spadella’s; he always has good fish on Friday.  How is the doctor, Mrs. McTeague?”

“Ah, Mac is always well, thank you, Miss Baker.”

“You know, Mrs. Ryer told me,” cried the little dressmaker, moving forward a step out of the way of a “glass-put-in” man, “that Doctor McTeague pulled a tooth of that Catholic priest, Father—­oh, I forget his name—­anyhow, he pulled his tooth with his fingers.  Was that true, Mrs. McTeague?”

“Oh, of course.  Mac does that almost all the time now, ’specially with front teeth.  He’s got a regular reputation for it.  He says it’s brought him more patients than even the sign I gave him,” she added, pointing to the big golden molar projecting from the office window.

“With his fingers!  Now, think of that,” exclaimed Miss Baker, wagging her head.  “Isn’t he that strong!  It’s just wonderful.  Cleaning house to-day?” she inquired, glancing at Trina’s towelled head.

“Um hum,” answered Trina.  “Maria Macapa’s coming in to help pretty soon.”

At the mention of Maria’s name the little old dressmaker suddenly uttered an exclamation.

“Well, if I’m not here talking to you and forgetting something I was just dying to tell you.  Mrs. McTeague, what ever in the world do you suppose?  Maria and old Zerkow, that red-headed Polish Jew, the rag-bottles-sacks man, you know, they’re going to be married.”

“No!” cried Trina, in blank amazement.  “You don’t mean it.”

“Of course I do.  Isn’t it the funniest thing you ever heard of?”

“Oh, tell me all about it,” said Trina, leaning eagerly from the window.  Miss Baker crossed the street and stood just beneath her.

“Well, Maria came to me last night and wanted me to make her a new gown, said she wanted something gay, like what the girls at the candy store wear when they go out with their young men.  I couldn’t tell what had got into the girl, until finally she told me she wanted something to get married in, and that Zerkow had asked her to marry him, and that she was going to do it.  Poor Maria!  I guess it’s the first and only offer she ever received, and it’s just turned her head.”

“But what do those two see in each other?” cried Trina.  “Zerkow is a horror, he’s an old man, and his hair is red and his voice is gone, and then he’s a Jew, isn’t he?”

“I know, I know; but it’s Maria’s only chance for a husband, and she don’t mean to let it pass.  You know she isn’t quite right in her head, anyhow.  I’m awfully sorry for poor Maria.  But I can’t see what Zerkow wants to marry her for.  It’s not possible that he’s in love with Maria, it’s out of the question.  Maria hasn’t a sou, either, and I’m just positive that Zerkow has lots of money.”

“I’ll bet I know why,” exclaimed Trina, with sudden conviction; “yes, I know just why.  See here, Miss Baker, you know how crazy old Zerkow is after money and gold and those sort of things.”