" HA! I know all about Mendel and his coats," replied Timke. "But I warn you, what he makes for 5 Rubles is a shmatteh, whereas the coat I make will be warm. And he doesn't make his own buttons. Whereas, my buttons!-- no buttons compare to my buttons.Where in the world can you find such buttons--? "

"Of course, if you want to economize, Yosef, go buy Mendel's worthless coat. BUT DON'T BLAME ME IF YOUR FAMILY STARVES!"

Yosef thought it over for a few moments and said,

"Timke, listen to me. I have a question.Can you, maybe , make the coat and sell it to me for 8 Rubles? Be a mentsh and toot mir a toiveh ? After all, I am your friend. You should charge less to friends."

Timke frowned at Yosef..."Yosef, listen---I hear the same request from everyone. Now, do you want to hear my gantse tsores. -- because I have a ganse tsores, let me tell you.! I AM A TAILOR WITH NO CUSTOMERS, JUST FRIENDS!

All right, all right, I'll pay the 10 Rubles," Yosef agreed finally.