What is the use of bothering oneself here where business keeps falling off, especially since the coming of the railway which only skirts the marshes at some distance? "Leiba," calls Sura from within, "the coach is coming, one can hear the bells." The Podeni valley is a ravine enclosed on all sides by wooded hills. In a hollow towards the south lie several deep pools caused by the springs which rise in the hills; above them lie some stretches of ground covered with bushes and rushes. Leiba's hotel stands in the centre of the valley, between the pools and the more elevated ground to the north; it is an old stone building, strong as a small fortress: although the ground is marshy, the walls and cellars are very dry. At Sura's voice Leiba raises himself painfully from his chair, stretching his tired limbs; he takes a long look towards the east, not a sign of the diligence. "It is not coming; you imagined it," he replied to his wife, and sat down again. Very tired the man crossed his arms on the table, and laid his head upon them, for it was burning. The warmth of the spring sun began to strike the surface of the marshes and a pleasant lassitude enveloped his nerves, and his thoughts began to run riot as a sick man's will, gradually taking on strange forms and colours. Gheorghe--Easter Eve--burglars--Jassy--the inn in the centre of the town--a gay restaurant doing well--restored health. And he dozed. Sura and the child went without a great deal up here. Leiba went to the door of the inn and looked out on to the road. On the main road there was a good deal of traffic, an unceasing noise of wheels accompanied by the rhythmic sound of horses' hooves trotting upon the smooth asphalt. But suddenly the traffic stopped, and from Copou a group of people could be seen approaching, gesticulating and shouting excitedly. The crowd appeared to be escorting somebody: soldiers, a guard and various members of the public. Curious onlookers appeared at every door of the inn. "Ah," thought Leiba, "they have laid hands on a thief." The procession drew nearer. Sura detached herself from the others, and joined Leiba on the steps of the inn. "What is it, Sura?" he asked. "A madman escaped from Golia." "Let us close the inn so that he cannot get at us." "He is bound now, but just now he escaped. He fought with all the soldiers. A rough Gentile in the crowd pushed a Jew against the madman and he bit him on the cheek." Leiba could see well from the steps; from the stair below Sura watched with the child in her arms.