Page:Meir Ezofovitch a novel, from the Polish of Eliza Orzeszko.djvu/384

334 "Bobe," he said softly, "Elte Bobe!"

Freida slept peacefully as a child, the rays of the moonlight played on the wrinkled face like childish dreams.

"I shall uever see you again, never any more."

He pressed his lips to the dear old hand, which had given him the treasure which was his salvation and ruin, life and death.

Frieda's head moved gentJy.

"Kleiniskind!" she whispered, without opening her eyes.

Meir lost himself in thoughts. His forehead resting on the groat-grand mother's knees, he said farewell to everything and everybody around.

At last he rose and slowly left the room.

In the dark passage he felt suddenly two strong arms closing around him and a heavy object was put in his pocket.

"It is I, Ber. Your grandfather looked around the family for a courageous man who would give you a handful of money on the way; and found me. Everybody in the house mourns for you,—the women have taken to their beds, crying, your uncles are angry with the rabbi and the elders,—the grandfather is almost beside himself with grief, but nobody will see yon any more. It is thus with us; reason drags one way. the old faith the other. They are afraid. But Meir, do not you grieve! You are happy, I envy you 1 Ton have not been afraid to do what I did not dare to do, and you will win. To-day your friends stood np for you, and the people wore silent and did not defend the rabbi. It is the beginning; but the end is still