208 ROSENTHAL
hearted screw ... I took out the note . . . but it is shortening my years ! . . . God knows what I bore and suffered at the time . . . To-night I will bring you the note back . . . Forgive me! ... Let the Mechutton break off the match, if he chooses, let the woman fret away her years, so long as I am rid of the serpent that is gnawing at my heart, and gives me no peace! I never before touched a ruble belonging to anyone else, and become a thief in my latter years I won't !"
Moisheh Chalfon did not answer him for a little while. He took out his snuff, and had a pinch, then he took out of the bosom of his robe a great red handker- chief, wiped his nose, and reflected a minute or two. Then he said quietly:
"If a match were broken off through me, I should be sorry. You certainly behaved as you should not have, in taking the money without leave, but it is written: Judge not thy neighbor till thou hast stood in his place. You shall keep the hundred rubles. Come to-night and bring me an I. 0. U., and begin to repay me little by little."
"What are you, an angel ?" exclaimed Berel, weeping.
"God forbid," replied Moisheh Chalfon, quietly, "I am what you are. You are a Jew, and I also am a Jew."
