Pretty soon he heard a rap upon the door.
“Who is it?” he demanded.
“I,” the rabbi's voice responded. .
“He'll end by driving me mad,” thought Elias. “What do you want?” he asked aloud.
“I want to see you.”
“Well, I'm busy.”
“I shan't interfere with your business.”
“I'm going to sleep.”
“I shan't prevent you from sleeping.”
Elias said nothing further. The rabbi came in. “I only wanted to sit with you. It is better that I should be on hand,” explained the rabbi, and sat down near the window.