ttered
hastily. I hitched the wagon to and we drove through the throng that
begged the Baal Shem's blessing. But he only waved them off smilingly.

"Bless one another by your deeds," he cried from time to time. "Then
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will bless you." And so we came to the
Ring-Place, and through it, into the structure we sought--a tall
two-storied stone building.

When we arrived at his daughter's house we found that she rented only
an apartment, so that none of us but the woman could be lodged, though
we were entertained with food and wine. After supper, when the iron
shutters were closed, the Baal Shem's daughter--a beautiful black-eyed
girl--danced with such fire and fervor that her crimson head-cloth
nearly dropped off, and I, being now in a cheerful mood, fell to
envying her husband, who for his part conversed blithely with the
rescued woman. In the middle of the gaiety the Baal Sham retired to a
corner, observing he wished to say his _Mincha_ prayer, and bidding us
continue our merriment and not regard him.

"_Mincha!_" I ejaculated unthinkingly, "why, it is too late."

"Would you give a child regulations when he may speak to his Father?"
rebuked the Baal Shem.

So I went on talking with his daughter, but of a sudden a smile curved
my lips at the thought of how the foolish makers of legends had
feigned his praying to be so fraught with occult operations that he
who looked at him might die. I turned and stole a glance at him.

Then to my amaze, as I caught sight of his face, I realized for the
first time that he was, indeed, as men called him, the Master of
Divine Secrets. There were on his brow great spots of perspiration,
and, as if from agony, tears trickled down his cheeks, but his eyes
were upturned and glazed, and his face was as that of a dead man
without soul, only it seemed to me that the nimbus of which men spoke
was verily round his head. His form, too, which was grown rigid,
appeared strangely taller. One hand grasped the corner of the dresser.
I turned away my eyes quickly, fearing lest they should be smitten
with blindness. I know not how many minutes passed before I heard a
great sigh, and, turning, saw the Baal Shem's figure stirring and
quivering, and in another moment he was facing me with a beaming
smile. "Well, my son, do you feel inclined for bed?"

His question recalled to me how much I had gone through that day, and
though I was in no hurry to leave this pleasant circle, yet