He was thinking of public affairs, but though he did not express himself in these words, he felt all their importance.
"I have come across an awful secret to-day."
Witebski jumped up from the easy-chair where he was sitting.
"I do not want to hear about any awful secrets! Why should you come to me about it, when I am not curious to know anything?"
"I want you, Reb, to prevent a terrible deed."
"And why should I prevent anything; why do you come to me about it?"
"Because you are rich and respected, and know how to speak. You live in peace and friendship with everybody; even the great Rabbi smiles when he sees you. Your words could do much if you only would—"
"But I will not," interrupted Witebski in a determined voice and with clouded brow. "I am rich and live in peace with everybody;" and lowering his voice, he added: "If I began to peer into people's secrets and thwarted them, I should be neither rich nor live in peace with anybody, and things would, not go so well with me as they are going now."
"Reb!" said Meir, "I am glad that everything is prospering with you: but I should not care for prosperity if it were the result of wrong-doing."
"Who speaks about wrong-doing?" said Eli, brightening up again. "I wrong no man. I deal honestly with everybody I do business with, and they are satisfied and feel friendly towards me. Thanks to the Lord, I can look everybody in the face, and upon the fortune I leave my children there are no human tears or human wrongs."