“No; what?” questioned the rabbi, composedly.
“Good God! You—you'll drive me out of my senses. You make me feel as though my head would split open. You—you—” His voice choked in his throat. His face had become burning red.
“Look out,” said the rabbi. “You'll burst a blood-vessel, if you carry on like that.”
“Well, then, for mercy's sake, leave me alone. Go down stairs about your business. Leave me here to attend to mine.”
The rabbi did not speak. He made no move to obey.
“Don't you hear?” Elias cried.
“Yes.”
“Well, why don't you go?”
“I have told you. It is my duty to stay.”
“God help me, if you weren't an old man, and my uncle, I—I'd—” Elias faltered. His clenched fists completed the sentence.