Page:Meir Ezofovitch a novel, from the Polish of Eliza Orzeszko.djvu/353

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But for the expression of pride and undaunted courage in his face, he might have been taken for a begging outcast, or a hunted criminal.

Saul covered his face with both hands. Some of the women sobbed aloud. Rafael, Abram, and other grave members of the family rose from their seats, stern and angry, and called out in one voice: "Ill-fated lad!” They were about to surround him, and to speak to him, when suddenly the shutters flew open with a crash, the windows shattered into bits, and heavy stones thundered against the furniture. From beyond the shattered windows, yells and shouts arose, over which dominated the hoarse voice of the melamed. They called for Meir to give up the writing, heaped abuse and insults upon the family, and threatened them with heaven’s and the people’s wrath.

The members of the family stood motionless, as if turned to stone from terror and shame.

Saul took his hands from his face, drew himself up proudly, and went quickly towards the door.

"Father! where are you going?" cried in terror the men and the women.

He pointed his shaking hand at the window, and said,—

"I will stand in the porch of my house and tell the foolish rabble to be quiet and take themselves off.”

They barred his way. The women clung round his shoulders and knees.

"They will kill you, father!" they moaned.

Suddenly the raging tumult ceased. Instead of yells, a low murmur passed from mouth to mouth,—

"The shamos, the shamos, the shamos!”