"Is that celebrated Rabbi of yours in town?"
"Where should he be?" said Jankiel. "He has never been out of the town during his life."
"A steady man, your Rabbi," said the nobleman, reaching for his hat. "Now, Jankiel, show me the way, and, if I do not hear anything new, I shall at least have seen and spoken with that celebrated man."
Jankiel opened the door for his distinguished guest, and followed him into the square, which was now almost deserted. Half-way across they met Eli Witebski, whom the lord of Kamionka greeted affably. By his manner and appearance the wealthy merchant came a little nearer to the civilised sphere in which the landowner moved himself.
"Has the gracious lord come to town on business?" asked Eli.
"No; I am only passing."
"And where might the gracious lord be going now?"
"To see your Rabbi, Witebski."
Witebski looked astonished.
"To see the Rabbi! And what business can the noble lord have with the
Rabbi?"