, with a glance full of hatred and terror in his eyes. "What do
you want here in my office?" cried he, with a quivering voice. "How can
you come before me? Get out, man! get out!"

Itzig remained stationary. "Don't scream so; I am not doing any thing to
you; I only want to speak to you on important subjects, if you will be
calm as a man of your years should be."

"It is Itzig," murmured the old man; "he wants to speak on important
subjects, and I am to be calm. How can I be calm," screamed he again,
"when I see you before me? You are my enemy; you have ruined me here and
ruined me there; you have been to me like the evil spirit with the
sword, on which hangs the drop of gall. I opened my mouth, you pierced
me with your sword, the gall has reached my heart; I needs must tremble
when I see you."

"Be quiet," said Itzig; "and when you are so, listen to me."

"Is his name Itzig?" mumbled the old man to himself. "His name is Itzig,
but the dogs bark at him as he walks through the streets. I will not see
you," he again exclaimed. "Get out! I loathe the sight of you: I would
rather have to do with a spider than with you."

To this Veitel replied in a resigned voice, "What has happened,
Ehrenthal, has happened, and it's no use talking of it. You behaved
unkindly to me, and I acted against you; both are true."

"He ate every Sabbath at my table," growled the old man.

"If you remember that," continued Itzig, "why, so will I. True, I have
eaten at your table, and on that account I am sorry to be on bad terms
with you. I have always felt a great attachment to your family."

"You have shown your attachment, young Itzig," continued the old man.
"You are he who came into my house, and killed me before I am laid in my
grave."

"What nonsense are you talking?" continued Veitel, impatiently. "Why do
you always speak as if you were dead, and I the evil spirit with the
sword? I am here, and I wish your prosperous life, and not your death. I
will so contrive that you shall yet occupy a good position among our
people, and that they who pass you in the street shall again take off
their hats to you, as they did before Hirsch Ehrenthal became childish."

Ehrenthal mechanically took off his hat and sat down again. His hair had
grown white.

"There ought to be friendship between you and me," continued Veitel,
persuasively, "and your business ought to be as mine. I have sent to you
more than one man of our connection, and have told yo