"Because," replied Hillel, unruffled, "they liveon sandy plains where the sun beats fiercely."Again he was thanked and returned into thehouse. An hour later when Hillel had settleddown into the quiet and peace of the Sabbath,the unholy noise was repeated. Hillel, suspecting a joke, went out calmly as before. "Whatis it, my son?" he asked. "Reb Hillel, I wantyou to tell me why the Africans have broadfeet." Replied Hillel, "because they live inmarshy districts." "Are you indeed Hillel,the famous Rabbi Hillel?" demanded the jokermore earnestly than ever. "I am Hillel," wasthe answer. "I wish to Heaven you weren't!"ruefully exclaimed the other: "for you havebeen the cause of my losing 400 denarii. "Better that thou shouldst lose 400 denarii, myson," replied the sage, "than that Hillelshould lose his patience."
HILLEL came to Jerusalem when a young man, already married, from Babylon where he was born. He came in search of learning, but having no capital, he was obliged to work for his living as a common laborer, paying half his earnings for the privilege of attend-
THE JEWS
ing the Academy, and half for the support of his family. One wintry evening the discussions of the class led by the famous scholars Shemaiah and Abtalion, having been prolonged until the early hours of the morning, a pupil, looking up to one of the windows, noticed that a human figure was outlined against the weak morning light. Everybody's attention was directed to the curious fact, and an active young fellow went up on the roof from which the window could be reached. He found Hillel asleep on the casement and half covered with snow. Hillel's funds having given out, he had been unable to pay the entrance fee, and had listened to the discourse at the window until he had fallen asleep. There was no difficulty after that about admission fees. Hillel grew in wisdom and learning, and so highly was he thought of by his countrymen that the following story got into circulation:
One day while he and the sages were assembled at Jericho a heavenly voice exclaimed;"Among those here present there is one manupon whom the Holy Spirit would rest ifhis generation were worthy of it." All eyeswere turned upon Hillel.
ACT IV.
[The same scenery. The shop is tightly closed. Through the cracks in the blinds the red rays of the sun play. The sitting-room is filled with a great many things which AARON, his wife and children have brought with them. The room is in great disorder. From the rear room is heard the crying of children and CHANE'S lamentations. AUNT SARAH is napping in a dark corner of her room and mutters in her sleep. SHILOME is sitting, a burning candle near him, weeping quietly, while he packs clocks and other things into a box. From BORUCH'S room is heard a conversation between father and son. LEAH, ill, hardly able to move, enters the sitting-room and goes up to AUNT SARAH.]
LEAH. Aunt, if you only would lie down for a while. You have been up now for two nights.
SARAH (awakening). Oh, how you frightened me. I just fell asleep and dreamed of something very bad.
LEAH. You had better take a nap on my bed.
SARAH. No, you are wandering around for nothing. Why don't you go to bed? You are sick. The children will not let you sleep? Why are they always quarreling? It is a sin to quarrel now. You surely must want something to eat. You haven't had anything to eat for quite a while. (She laboriously gets up from her chair and goes toward the rear rooms.) Soon there will be nothing left to eat. We cannot buy meat or milk. (She disappears into the rear rooms, whence CHANE and AARON enter.)
CHANE (tears in her eyes, reproachfully). We should have stayed at home. I told you so. Bring me the basket.