IV
THE NEW TUNE
The end of the Day of Atonement.
A blast on the Shofar, and the congregation stirred noisily: "Next year in Jerusalem!" The boys made a dash at the candle-wax on the table, a week-day reader was already at the desk, and the week-day evening prayer was being recited to a week-day tune.
Full tilt they recited the prayers and full tilt they took off robes and prayer-scarfs and began to put on their boots—who has time to spare?
Nobody—not even to remark the pale young man walking round and round among the people, dragging after him a still paler child. It is his third round; but nobody notices him. One is under a seat looking for his boots, another finds somebody has taken his goloshes by mistake or dropped candle-grease on his hat, and all are hungry.
He looks vainly into their faces; he cannot catch a single glance.
"Father, let us go home," begs the child.
"We will go round once more," he answers, "and look for uncle."
Meantime the congregation is preparing to leave. The last Kaddish is said, the last Amen!
The congregation make a rush for the door, carrying along with them the young man and the child.