The deep voice coming from the interior of the room situated beyond the small dark hall, asked:
"Where were you so long, Moshe?"
The man, who remained in the little hall, answered:
"I ate the Sabbath supper in the house of the Ezofowich. In that house they celebrate the Sabbath with great magnificence, and I go there often to keep my soul in great joy!"
"You act wisely, Moshe, in keeping your soul joyful during the
Sabbath. But what news have you?"
"Bad news, Nassi! Among the roses and lilies an ugly worm crawls!"
"What worm?"
"A worm which is eating into our holy faith, and which may make of the Israelitish people a people of goims and hazarniks."
"And in whose heart crawls that worm?"
"It is crawling in the heart of Meir Ezofowich—grandson of the rich
Saul."