‘One you cannot comprehend. Without another word, lead me to your chief.’
‘Chief! you have not far to go. I know no one of the nation who holds his head higher than I do here, and they call me Zimri.’
‘What, the Chief Rabbi, that very learned doctor?’
‘No less; I thought you had heard of him.’
‘Let us forget the past, good Zimri. When great men play the incognito, they must sometimes hear rough phrases. It is the Caliph’s lot as well as yours. I am glad to make the acquaintance of so great a doctor. Though young, and roughly habited, I have seen the world a little, and may offer next Sabbath in the synagogue more dirhems than you would perhaps suppose. Good and learned Zimri, I would be your guest.’
‘A very worshipful young man! And he speaks low and soft now! But it was lucky I was at hand. Good, what’s your name?’
‘David.’
‘A very honest name, good David. It was lucky I was at hand when you spoke to the sentinel, though. A Jew speak to a Frank, and a sentinel too! Hah! hah! hah! that is good. How Rabbi Maimon will laugh! Faith it was very lucky, now, was not it?’
‘Indeed, most fortunate.’
‘Well that is candid! Here! this way. ‘Tis not far. We number few, sir, of our brethren here, but a better time will come, a better time will come.’