This time surprise was clearly expressed in the face of the young fashionable, and his irony increased. It was evident that he did not at all understand Meir's speech, and that he considered him as being half a savage. Meir, absorbed in his enthusiasm, did not notice the impression he had made.
"Leopold," he began, "how many years did you study in that foreign school?"
"What foreign school?" asked Leopold.
"Nu, in that school where they do not teach Jewish studies."
Leopold understood now. He half closed his eyes, pursed his mouth, and answered:
"Well, I went to the gymnasium for five years."
"Five years!" exclaimed Meir, "then you must be a very learned man, if you have gone to school for such a long time."
"Well," answered the guest, with an indulgent smile, "there are people in the world who are more learned than I."
Meir approached his companion still nearer, and his eyes shone more brightly.
"What do they teach in the school?" he asked.