"Hah?" asked the sage, who was already buried in mystic speculation.
"There is great news about the town."
"What news?"
"Meir Ezofowich has found the writing of his ancestor, the Senior, and is going to read it to-day before the assembled people."
The Rabbi was now fully awake, and craning his neck towards the melamed, exclaimed:
"How did you come to hear of it?"
"Ah! the whole town is full of it. Meir's friends since early morning have been among the people spreading the news."
Todros did not say a word; but his eyes had a keen, almost savage expression.
"Nassi! will you allow him to do this?"
Todros was silent. At last he said in a determined voice: