Page:Meir Ezofovitch a novel, from the Polish of Eliza Orzeszko.djvu/107

Rh It wanted a few hours to midday, when Saul Ezofovitcli with thoughtful mien, watched a group of men croasiug the square. Saul's whole family, clad in their finest garments had gathered together to do honor to the great dignitary. Amidst a group of men dresBed in black, walked the Rabbi; on one side of him, the pious Jankiel, on the other David Kalman, one of the most prominent men of the town, therefore enjoying the title of moreine (reverend). The whole group was headed by the melamed, Walking backwards, his face turned towards the rabbi. It could not be properly called walking, it was more like a frantic dance accompanied by an occasional stumbling upon the uneven pavement. A great many children watched from a distance the melamed'a performance, and tried to imitate him, jumping, waving their arms, and filling the air with noise indescribable.

Presently, the door of Saul's sitting-room was pushed open and in rushed the melamed, breathless aud excited. His joy was quite sincere. Poor little melamed, what waa it after all that made him so glad?

"Rebi Saul," he said, panting, "the great blessing is approaching your house."

Saul gravely inclined his head; it was not an unmixed blessing to him. The other members of the family were, on the contrary, wholly pleased and gratified at the unexpected honor, all except Ber, who always looked languid and impassive when not engaged in business transactions.

When the rabbi had arrived as far as the porch, his two satellites, Rebe Jankeil and Moreine Kalman, put their hands under hie elbows and almost carried him through