Page:Meir Ezofovitch a novel, from the Polish of Eliza Orzeszko.djvu/249

Rh flitted to and fro bargaining with the peasants. In this hubbub of voices in midst of bargaining and quarrels mixed with the shrill voices of women and squalling children sounded the quavering voice of the old Abel unweariedly at his task of reciting. The surging elements around did not distract him, on the contrary they seemed to stimulate him as his voice sounded louder and more distinct.

"When Moses descended from Mount Sinai, a great light shone from his face and the people fell down on their faces and called out as in one voice: Moses repeat to us the words of the Eternal. And a great calm came upon the earth and the heavens. They grew silent, the lightning ceased, and the wind fell: And Moses called the seventy elders of Israel and when they surrounded him, as the stars surround the moon, he repeated to them the words of the Eternal."

At this moment, two grave men, poorly dressed, came from the crowd and passed close by him.

"He is reciting again," said one.

"He always does," said the other.

They smiled, but did not go further. An old woman and some younger people joined them. The woman stood listening and asked,—

"What is it he is telling?"

"The history and the covenant of the Israelites," plied Golda.

The young people opened their mouths, the woman drew nearer, the men smiled, but all stood still and listened.

"When the people heard the commandments of the Lord, they called out as in one voice, We will do all that