The teacher laid down his spoon and went up to the pupil. For a while he gazed at him with affectionate pride, then he wrapped his hand in the skirt of his kaftan, and touched him on the shoulder:
"They have brought you something to eat," he said gently, by way of rousing him. Slowly and sadly the pupil uncovered his face. It was paler than ever, and the black-ringed eyes had grown wilder.
"I know, Rebbe," he answered, "but I will not eat anything to-day."
"The fourth fast?" asked the teacher, wondering, "and without me?" he added, with a playful pretense at being hurt.
"It is another kind of fast," answered the pupil, "it is a penance."
"What do you mean? You and a penance?"
"Yes, Rebbe! A penance. A minute ago, when you began to eat, I was tempted to break the commandment: 'Thou shalt not covet!'"
———
Late that night the pupil woke the teacher. They slept on the benches in the Kläus, opposite to one another.
"Rebbe, Rebbe!" he called in a weak voice.