Part 52 (1/2)
”A fast like that on the Day of Atonement, beginning overnight.”
The four children tumble out of bed; bare-footed, in their little ragged s.h.i.+rts, they begin to caper round the room, shouting: ”We are going to fast, to fast, to fast!”
Mendele screens the light with his shoulders, so that they shall not see their mother's tears:
”There, that will do, children, that will do! Fast-days were not meant for dancing. When the Rejoicing of the Law comes, then we will dance, please G.o.d!” The children get back into bed. Their hunger is forgotten.
One of them, a little girl, starts singing: ”Our Father, our King,”
etc., and ”On the High Mountain,” etc.
Mendele s.h.i.+vers from head to foot.
”One does not sing, either,” he says in a choked voice.
The children are silent, and go off to sleep, tired out with singing and dancing. Only the eldest opens his eyes once more and inquires of his father:
”Tate, when shall I be Bar-Mitzwah?”[118]
”Not yet, not for a long time--in another four years. You must grow and get strong.”
”Then you will buy me a pair of phylacteries?”
”Of course.”
”And a little bag to hold them?”
”Why, certainly!”
”And a little, tiny prayer-book with gilt edges?”
”With G.o.d's help! You must pray to G.o.d, Chamle!”
”Then I shall keep all the fasts!”
”Yes, yes, Chamle, all the fasts,” adding, below his breath: ”Lord of the world, only not any like this one--not like to-day's.”
XX
THE WOMAN MISTRESS HANNAH
A PACKET OF LETTERS
1
Two letters which Hannah received from her brother Menachem Mendil, and one letter from her sister-in-law, Eva Gutel; altogether, three letters.
FIRST LETTER
Life and peace to my worthy sister, Mistress Hannah.