Anton Trendellsohn, and close to the son he saw the old man whom he had met in the street, and whom he recognised as Anton's father. Old Trendellsohn seemed to take no notice of him, but Anton had watched him from his entrance, and was prepared to speak to him, though he did not discontinue his part in the dirge till the last moment. "I had a few words to say to you, if it would suit you," said Ziska, in a low voice. "Are they of import?" Trendellsohn asked. "If so, I will come to you." Ziska then turned to make his way back, but he saw that this was not to be his road for retreat. Behind him the movable phalanx had again formed itself into close rank, but before him the wailing wearers of the white shirts were preparing for the commotion of his passage by grasping the upright stick of their movable desks in their hands. So he passed on, making the entire round of the synagogue; and when he got outside the crowded door, he found that the younger Trendellsohn had followed him. "We had better go into the house," said Anton; "it will not be well for us to talk here on any matter of business. Will you follow me?" Then he led the way into the old house, and there at the front door still stood the two girls talking to each other. "You have come back, uncle," said Ruth. "Yes; for a few moments, to speak to this gentleman." "And will you return to the synagogue?" "Of course I shall return to the synagogue." "Because Rebecca wishes me to go out with her," said the younger girl, in a plaintive voice. "You cannot go out now. Your grandfather will want you when he returns." "But, uncle Anton, he will not come till sunset." "My mother wished to have Ruth with her this afternoon if it were possible," said Rebecca, hardly looking at Anton as she spoke to him; "but of course if you will not give her leave I must return without her." "Do you not know, Rebecca," said Anton, "that she is needful to her grandfather?" "She could be back before sunset." "I will trust to you, then, that she is brought back." Ruth, as soon as she heard the words, scampered up-stairs to array herself in such finery as she possessed, while Rebecca still stood at the door. "Will you not come in, Rebecca, while you wait for her?" said Anton. "Thank you, I will stand here. I am very well here." "But the child will be ever so long making herself ready. Surely you will come in." But Rebecca was obstinate, and kept her place at the door. "He has that Christian girl there with him day after day," she said to Ruth as they went away together. "I will never enter the house while she is allowed to come there." "But Nina is very good," said Ruth. "I do not care for her goodness." "Do you not know that she is to be uncle Anton's wife?" "They have told me so, but she shall be no friend of mine, Ruth. Is it not shameful that he should wish to marry a Christian?"