A point of friendly contention between Aaron Cohen and the engineer was the observance of the Sabbath day. From sunset on Friday till sunset on Saturday Aaron would do no work and attend to no business. He paid the workmen their wages on Friday, and made up the accounts on that day. They hailed the new arrangement with satisfaction, but the engineer was rather fretful over this departure from the usual custom.
"What is your objection?" asked Aaron.
"It must confuse affairs," replied the engineer.
"Are not the accounts faithfully kept," said Aaron, "and does not the work go on regularly?"
"Oh, I am not complaining," said the engineer, "only----"
"Only what?" said Aaron, with a smile.
The engineer could not explain; he was a skilful engineer, but a weak controversialist. The only answer he could make was,--
"You are living in a Christian land, among Christians."
"I am none the less a Jew. All over the world we live in Christian lands, among Christians; we are a nation without a country. You observe your Sunday Sabbath as a day of rest."
"Certainly I do."