"Because they consider it a sin—especially the Jews." Suddenly, with seeming uneasiness and haste, he asked, "Will you purchase anything? This box, perhaps. Upon the lid is engraved a fine country-house."
Attracted by the delicate execution, I inquired, "And is this your own workmanship?"
"Yes," was his reply.
"You are an artist! And pray where did you learn wood-engraving?"
"At Kamieniec-Poddski."
"At the fortress?"
"Yes, during the insurrection of 1863."
"Were you among the insurgents?"
"No, but the authorities feared I might join them—hence I and the other forced ones were incarcerated in the fortress when the insurrection broke out, and again set free when it was suppressed."
"Without any cause?"