He then rose to leave for the second time, but the elder David was ashamed to let his visitor depart thus.
"What, then, is your proposition?" asked he.
"To shelter under your roof an outlaw. This village being isolated, the risk is not great."
"Very true," said the younger man; "but in a small place like this, where every one is acquainted, the arrival of a stranger would be remarked."
"Then say no more about it," said Jacob, turning to go. "A thousand excuses for disturbing you."
This time he really took his departure.
"I am sorry," said the father to the son when they were alone, "that we did not find some way to arrange this affair. Jacob has excellent connections. What will he tell them of us? Truly, he cannot have a very good opinion."
"Bah! I am, perhaps, of your opinion, but we could not do otherwise. Let us to bed."
The protector of Ivas returned to the inn, and did not awaken his companion, who was wrapped in a deep slumber. He threw himself on the bed, and his thoughts kept him awake the greater part of the night. He arose early to seek an interview with Jankiel, whom he did not know personally.
Having introduced himself to the old man, he took part in the morning prayers, and then told him frankly that he had long desired his acquaintance, and that he addressed him full of confidence in his well-known sentiments.