“Good morning, Elias,” the rabbi said.
“Good morning,” responded Elias, with a none too hospitable inflection.
“So, you haven't been abed? You've been sitting up all night?” the rabbi questioned.
“How do you know that?” was Elias's counter-question.
“I looked for you in your bedroom, and saw that your bed had not been slept in.”
“Oh.”
After a pause, “What have you been doing, up alone all night?” the rabbi asked.
“Lots of things. A man on the eve of his marriage has plenty to do.”
The rabbi stood still for a little while, glancing around the room. Then he sat down. At which, Elias rose.
“If you'll excuse me,” he said, “I'll go down stairs. I haven't taken my bath yet.”