WOMEN 463
Breindel takes no notice. She clenches her right fist, and, fighting the air with it, she vociferates louder than ever:
"What has happened, women? What are you fright- ened of? Look at them, if they are not all a little afraid! That's what brings trouble. Don't let us be frightened, and we shall spare ourselves in the future. We shall not be in terror that to-morrow or the day after (they had best not live to hear of it, sweet Father in Heaven!) another of us should have this come upon her!"
BreindePs last words made a great impression. The women started as though someone had poured cold water over them without warning. A few even began to come forward in support of Breindel's proposal. Soreh Leoh said: She advised going, but only to him, the bridegroom, and telling him not to give people occasion to laugh, and not to cause distress to her parents, and to agree to the wedding's taking place to-day or to-mor- row, before anything happened, and to keep quiet.
"I say, he shall not live to see it; he shall not be counted worthy to have us come begging favors of him !" cried an angry voice.
But hereupon rose that of a young woman from somewhere in the crowd, and all the others began to look round, and no one knew who it was speaking. At first the young voice shook, then it grew firmer and firmer, so that one could hear clearly and distinctly what was said :
"You might as well spare yourselves the trouble of talking about a thrashing; it's all nonsense; besides,
