do not teach Jewish studies."

Leopold understood now. He half closed his eyes, pursed his mouth,
and answered:

"Well, I went to the gymnasium for five years."

"Five years!" exclaimed Meir, "then you must be a very learned man,
if you have gone to school for such a long time."

"Well," answered the guest, with an indulgent smile, "there are
people in the world who are more learned than I."

Meir approached his companion still nearer, and his eyes shone more
brightly.

"What do they teach in the school?" he asked.

"Different things."

"What are those different things?"

Leopold, with an ironical smile, began to enumerate all the subjects
taught in public schools.

Meir interrupted him, saying with animation:

"And you know all these subjects?"

"Yes, I do," answered the guest.

"And what are you doing now?"

This question was asked with great anxiety, and astounded the
good-looking chap.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Nu, I wish to know, I wish to know the thoughts with which these
studies have filled your head, and what you are doing in the world."

"What I am doing? I am an official in the office of the governor
himself, and I copy important papers."

Meir thought for a while.

"That is not what I wished to know about. You copy those papers for
money. Every man must earn. But I wish to know what you think about
when you are sometimes alone, and what those thoughts impel you to
accomplish in the world."

Leopold opened widely his eyes.

"Well," he exclaimed impatiently, "what should I think about? When I
leave my office I return home, smoke a cigarette, and think of the
time when I shall marry and get a dowry, and my father will give me
my share, and I shall purchase a house. On the ground floor I shall
fix pretty stores, the second floor I shall let to some rich people,
and I shall live on the third floor."

This time it was Meir's turn to be amazed. "And you, Leopold, don't
you think of anything else?"

"Well, of what else should I think? Thank God I have no sorrows. I
live and board with my parents and my salary is sufficient to buy my
clothes."

Meir looked at the floor, and a deep wrinkle appeared on his
forehead, as was customary with him when he was hurt.

"Leopold, listen," he said, after a few moments of deep thought, "are
there not many poor and ignorant Jews in your great city?"

Leopold laughed.

"There are plenty of them everywhere."

"And what are your thoughts