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'Even the man who gathered sticks on the Sabbath was stoned to death, whispered the squat Solomon Barzinsky to the lanky Ephraim Mendel, marine-dealers both. 'Alas! that would not be permitted in this heathen country, sighed Ephraim Mendel, hitching his praying-shawl more over his left shoulder. 'But at least his windows should be stoned.
An exultant light leapt into the minister's eye. 'Is he shut? 'Is your mouth shut? Solomon replied scathingly. The ministerial mouth remained open in a fishy gasp, but no words came from it. 'I'm afraid you'll have to use stronger language, Mr. Gabriel, said the Parnass soothingly. 'But if he is not there to hear it. 'Oh, don't listen to Barzinsky. He'll be there right enough.
'May it be an atonement for us all! interrupted Peleg the pawnbroker. 'We must beg him not to destroy religion, repeated the Parnass. 'I thought Mr. Gabriel had done that, said the Gabbai. 'He is only a minister. He has no worldly tact. 'Then, why don't you go? said Solomon Barzinsky. 'I have too much worldly tact. The President's visit might seem like an appeal to authority.
'Ah, so that was at the back of it. I suspected something underhand in your offer. I was to be given office, was I, on condition of closing my shop on Saturday? No, Mr. Barzinsky. Go back and tell those who sent you that Simeon Samuels scorns stipulations, and that when you offer to make him Parnass unconditionally he may consider your offer, but not till then. Good-bye.
On the Wednesday strange new rumours began to circulate, and those who hastened to confirm them stood dumbfounded before great posters on all the shutters: CLOSED FOR RE-STOCKING A hurried emergency meeting of the Executive Sub-Committee was called. 'He has swindled us, said Solomon Barzinsky. 'This paper signed by him merely undertakes to shut up his shop.
When the resolution came up Mr. Solomon Barzinsky moved as an amendment that weekly be altered into 'twice a week, since the member kept open on Friday night as well as Saturday. The Parnass refused to accept the amendment. There was only one Sabbath a week, though it had two periods. 'And the evening and the morning were one day. Mr. Peleg supported the amendment. They must not leave Mr.
'Is he open again? gasped the Parnass, hurled from his judicial calm. 'Is my eye open? witheringly retorted Barzinsky. 'A fat lot of good your preacher does. 'It was you who would elect him instead of Rochinsky, the Parnass reminded him. Barzinsky was taken aback. 'Well, we don't want foreigners, do we? he murmured.
The Parnass reassured him as to his merits. 'The congregation could not have a worthier envoy. 'But I can't leave my business. 'You, with your fine grown-up daughters! cried Barzinsky. 'Don't beshrew them I will go at once. 'And these gentlemen must await you here, said the President, tapping his snuffbox incongruously at the 'here, 'in order to continue the sitting if you fail.
'From Reuben and Simeon down to Gad and Asher, his life shall be required at their hands. Oh, it was a red-hot-cannon-ball-firing sermon, and Solomon Barzinsky could not resist leaning across and whispering to the Parnass: 'Wasn't I right in refusing to vote for Rochinsky? This reminder of his candidate's defeat was wormwood to the Parnass, spoiling all his satisfaction in the sermon.
'I don't come on my own account only, Barzinsky stammered. 'I understand. You want a contribution to the Passover Cake Fund. My time is precious, so is yours. What is the Parnass giving? 'I'm not begging for money. I represent the congregation. 'Dear me, why didn't you come to the point quicker? The congregation wishes to beg my acceptance of office.
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