Leo Oberschmidt gave a panicky little smile, one that has been trained and tempered through years of fast-paced Yiddish translation, blind-yet-calculated agreement, and nights spent poring over books on Hebrew culture in preparation for hideously vague philosophizing on today's kids and how they relate to the Chosen People. Leo did what he always does, and lied outright. Leo's eyes took on a glazed sheen as he spoke.
[color=skyblue]"Herschel, I've told you about my brother before. They're both devout Progressives. I know how you feel 
about them, but I'm sure I've managed to bring them into the fold bit by bit. Since they just left, they haven't had a chance to practice [i]mikvah[/i] just yet, but I've already given them the basics. Don't you worry about old Fargus and his friends, I've got them under control."[/color]

Peaches, himself a practicing Roman Catholic, attempted to complain, but was quietly but firmly shushed by Fargus. "Quiet," Fargus whispered, "this guy is, from what I've heard, one hell of a chatterbox. With him, it's gonna be 'yes, sir' [i]only[/i], got it?" Peaches's conspiratorial nod told Fargus all he needed to know.

Gunther played along, and grunted exaggeratedly in agreement with Herschel. [b]"Tell me about it! I've always hated how these kids act like they're hot shit. They look like absolute idiots, and don't even know it!"[/b] Gunther always knew how to talk to elders, considering his upbringing. Living in a house with your whole extended family for company does wonders to your multi-tasking skills!

Leo sighed in relief, and grinned at Herschel. [color=skyblue]"Mister Orenstein, I'm glad your children are talking to you. You know, I know quite a few people whose children have abandoned them entirely! If you ever need someone to talk to, you know who to find!"[/color]