[mvisconte]

The man loaned money to his sons to help them get their start in life, but he always reminded them that it was just a loan, and a man's honor depends upon his ability to pay his debts, no matter what. You may starve, your children may go hungry, but until the debt was paid, you had no honor ~ especially if the debt was to FAMILY!

They grew successful, by following his advice, but he would remind them, "Your honor is your greatest asset! If you cheat your partners, if you cheat your friends, if you cheat your customers -- well, if you cheat them big time - and you get caught, then you have no honor. Everybody will know! Word gets around. You can ask anybody in our community, and they will tell you. "Morris, that cheapskate, what an honorable man!" "Morris' briskett -- a little fatty, but oh, what an honorable man!" "Oh, that Morris, he should break his neck - such a time he gives me - but he... HE is an honorable man!"

His sons promised that they would always pay off their debts, even if it took them a bit longer, and even if (they hinted) the person that loaned to them didn't need it. And the older man hinted back, "as if anyone would ever forget a debt - an HONORABLE one!... no matter how small, if someone owes you something, you always think they're a bum, until you're paid back. Even your best friend, he's a bum, until he owes you nothing. A nice bum, your best bum, but still a bum."

Although he never mentioned the debts - much - publicly, but he reminded them as he (and they) got older. "So, Abe, how's the clinic? You paid off that surgery table, didn't you?" "Yes, pa" "Good! Nobody wants their son to be a bum!" Abraham knew it wasn't about the table, it was about the loan that started the clinic.

"Sammy, you settled that big deal! You made sure your partners got their fair share?" "Yes, pa" Sammuel knew it wasn't about the latest deal, but about the loan that started the firm.

"Mo! Elsie said your potato pancakes were delicious at the bris. And Sid The Supplier said you paid him promptly!" said the old man, gleaming. "Yes pa" Morris Jr. knew what was implied by the comment.

But, their dad was patient. He knew he had raised honorable young men.

When the old man died, his widow what so ashamed... her son, "The Doctor, p-tu", said he was in surgery, saving some young goyle's life, and would be late. Everybody who worked at his clinic showed up, tho', to pay their respects.

And, her son "who owns the Delicatessen, p-tew", had to stay late to to work on a big catering deal - but all the waiters and staff showed up to show their respect.

But her son Sammy, "The Lawyer" -- now HE was there! Such an honor, to her old husband.

Sammy stood at the coffin, bent down and kissed his pa one last time, took something from his pocket and slid it into his dad's suit.

The service was almost over when Mo showed up, puffing and panting, red in the face, but he was there. He went up and lifted the lid and kissed his pa one last time, and slid something from his pocket into his dad's suit.

Then Abe came in, sweating, but smiling, and shuffled up, lifted the lid, kissed dad, and slid something into his dad's pocket.

Around the grave, as the last touches where being patted down, they stood. They knew what people thought about them... the rich son's of Morris... and how they had been late.

Abe looked sheepishly at the others and said -- "I was up late, thinking about what dad said... and today, I went and sold almost half my stock, just so I could get the money to pay pa back... even tho' I know he can't spend it, I know I've done the right thing... I've paid my debt."

Mo, Jr. looked at the ground... "You know, I thought... he's old, he's rich, he doesn't need it... but all last night, I kept hearing his voice 'Be Honorable! Pay your debts!' So I got up early and went in. Ilsie thinks I'm crazy, she says. "He's forgotten, already! He don't need it! WE need it!", but I couldn't help it. I hocked some stuff, and took out a loan - which I will repay! But... I have paid my debt to dad!"

They both looked at Sammy, the Lawyer. Sammy just smiled. "Boys," he said, "A man is only as good as his honor. Remember that. This day, you have made pa proud!"

"But what about you? You've done well. Did you pay pa off? We didn't see YOU working late or sweating over what do tell your wife!"

"Boys! I am hurt! Of course I paid pa back! Before you boys got there, I slipped a little something in the coffin, just like you two! I wrote him a check!"