The mirthless, bilious cackle of Jankiel interrupted. "I know a thing or two," he exclaimed; "I knew that you, Abraham, would not easily agree to it. I shall manage that without your help."
"Hush!" hissed Calman. The voices dropped again to a whisper.
"Eliezer, go away!" insisted Meir.
The singer did not seem to understand. "Eliezer! do you want to honour your father, as it is commanded from Sinai?"
Kamionker's son sighed.
"I pray to Jehovah that I may honour him." Meir grasped him by the hand.
"Then go at once—go! if you stop here any longer you will never be able to honour your father again!" He spoke so impressively that Eliezer grew pale and began to tremble.
"How can I go now, if they are discussing secrets there?"
The voice of Jankiel became again distinctly audible:
"The tailor Shmul is desperately poor; the driver Johel is a thief.
Both will be well paid."