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 YOM KIPPUR 207

"Oh, open the gate to us, even while it is closing," sounded in Berel's ears and heart. . . yet a little while, and it will be too late !

"No, no!" shrieked Berel to himself, "I will not lose my soul, my world-to-come! Let Chantzeh-Leah burn me and roast me, I will take it all in good part, so that I don't lose my world-to-come !"

Berel rose from his seat, and went up to Moisheh Chalfon.

"Reb Moisheh, a word with you," he whispered into his ear.

"Afterwards, when the prayers are done."

"No, no, no !" shrieked Berel, below his breath, "now, at once !"

Moisheh Chalfon stood up.

Berel led him out of the house-of-study, and aside.

"Reb Moisheh, kind soul, have pity on me and forgive me !" cried Berel, and burst into sobs.

"God be with you, Berel, what has come over you all at once?" asked Reb Moisheh, in astonishment.

"Listen to me, Reb Moisheh !" said Berel, still sobbing. "The hundred rubles you lost a few weeks ago are in my house! . . . God knows the truth, I didn't take them out of wickedness. I came into your house, the key was in the drawer . . . there was no one in the room . . . That day I'd had a letter from my Mechutton that he'd break off his son's engagement if the wedding didn't take place to time. . . My girl is ugly and old . . . the bridegroom is a fine young man ... a precious stone .... I opened the drawer in spite of myself . . . and saw the bank-notes . . . You see how it was? . . . My Mechutton is a Misnaggid ... a flint-