And the crowd dispersed as quickly as it had come together. We three remained—and the beadle, who came close to me:
"Give me something," he said, "for the day's work."
I gave him a few ten-kopek pieces, he slipped them into his pocket without counting them, and was off without saying good-bye.
"What do you say, Rabbi?" I asked.
"I don't know what to say, how should I? I am only dreadfully afraid—lest it should do me harm—"
"You?"
"Whom else? You? If you don't get any statistics, it will be of no great consequence, for 'He that keepeth Israel will neither slumber nor sleep!' I mean the two extra gulden a week."
The rebbitzin with the large spectacles has come out from behind the stove.
"I told you long ago," she says, "not to interfere in the affairs of the community, but when did you ever listen to me? What has a rabbi to do with that sort of thing? Kohol's business!"
"Nu, hush, Rebbitzin, hush!" he answers gently; "you know what I am, I have a soft heart, it touched me, but it's a pity about the two gulden a week."