THE SINNEE 537
said nothing to us. Eeb Avrohom also went up to him, and held out his hand.
A change came over the Eebbe, he raised his eyelids with his fingers, and looked at Eeb Avrohom for some time in silence.
And Eeb Avrohom looked at the Eebbe, and was silent too.
The Chassidim were offended by such impertinence.
That evening we assembled in the Eebbe's house-of- study, to usher in the Sabbath. It was tightly packed with Jews, one pushing the other, or seizing hold of his girdle, only beside the ark was there a free space left, a semicircle, in the middle of which stood the Eebbe and prayed.
But Eeb Avrohom stood by the door among the poor guests, and prayed after his fashion.
"To Kiddush !" called the beadle.
The Eebbe's wife, daughters, and daughters-in-law now appeared, and their jewelry, their precious stones, and their pearls, sparkled and shone.
The Eebbe stood and repeated the prayer of Sancti- fication.
He was slightly bent, and his grey beard swept his breast. His eyes were screened by his lashes, and he recited the Sanctification in a loud voice, giving to every word a peculiar inflection, to every sign an expression of its own.
"To table !" was called out next.
At the head of the table sat the Eebbe, sons and sons- in-law to the left, relations to the right of him, then the principal aged Jews, then the rich.
