her give you a seat and all the honours for nothing than see
this desecration.'

'You must have a goodly surplus, then.'

'We have enough.'

'That's strange. You're the first _Gabbai_ I ever knew who was
satisfied with his balance-sheet. Is it your excellent management, I
wonder, or have you endowments?'

'That's not for me to say. I mean we have five or six hundred pounds
in legacies.'

'Indeed! Soundly invested, I hope?'

'First-class. English Railway Debentures.'

'I see. Trustee stock.' Simeon Samuels stroked his beard. 'And so your
whole congregation works on the Sabbath. A pretty confession!'

'What do you mean?'

'Runs railway trains, lights engine-fires, keeps porters and
signal-men toiling, and pockets the profits!'

'Who does?'

'You, sir, in particular, as the financial representative of the
congregation. How can any Jew hold industrial shares in a heathen
country without being a partner in a Sabbath business--ay, and opening
on the Day of Atonement itself? And it is you who have the audacity to
complain of me! I, at least, do my own dirty work, not hide myself
behind stocks and shares. Good _Shabbos_ to you, Mr. _Gabbai_, and
kindly mind your own business in future--your locomotives and your
sidings and your stinking tunnels.'

XIV

The _Parnass_ could no longer delay the diplomatic encounter. 'Twas
vain to accuse the others of tactlessness, and shirk the exhibition of
his own tact. He exhibited it most convincingly by not informing the
others that he was about to put it to a trial.

Hence he refrained from improving a synagogue opportunity, but sneaked
one week-day towards the shop. He lingered without, waiting to be
invited within. Thus all appearance of his coming to rebuke would be
removed. His mission should pop up from a casual conversation.

He peeped into the window, passed and repassed.

Simeon Samuels, aware of a fly hovering on the purlieus of his web,
issued from its centre, as the _Parnass_ turned his back on the shop
and gazed musingly at the sky.

'Looks threatening for rain, sir,' observed Simeon Samuels, addressing
the back. 'Our waterproofs---- Bless my soul, but it surely isn't our
_Parnass_!'

'Yes, I'm just strolling about. I seem to have stumbled on your
establishment.'

'Lucky for me.'

'And a pleasure for me. I never knew you had such a nice display.'

'Won't you come inside, and see the stock?'

'Thank you, I must really get back home. And besides, as