"Then have I never prayed," I said.
"Then 'tis you that are the sinner," he retorted, laughing.
His words struck me into a meditative silence. It was towards twilight when our oddly-encountered trio approached the great Talmudical centre. To my surprise a vast crowd seemed to be waiting at the gates.
"It is for me," said the woman hysterically, for she had now awakened. "My brothers have told the elders. They will kill you. O save yourself."
"Peace, peace," said the old man, puffing his pipe.
As we came near we heard the people shouting, and nearer still made out the sounds. Was it? Yes, I could not be mistaken. "The Baal Shem! The Baal Shem!"
My heart beat violently. What a stroke of luck was this! "The Baal Shem is there!" I cried exultantly.
The woman grew worse. "The Baal Shem!" she shrieked. "He is a holy man. He will slay us with a glance."
"Peace, my beautiful creature," said the driver. "You are more likely to slay him with a glance."
This time his levity grated on me. I peered eagerly towards the gates, striving to make out the figure of the mighty Saint!