206 EOSENTHAL
"Help, what shall I do, what shall I do ?" he thought, as he struggled with his conscience. "Chantzeh-Leah will lay me on the fire . . . she will cry her life out . . . the Mechutton . . . the bridegroom . . . "
The Additional Service and the Afternoon Service were over, people were making ready for the Conclusion Service, Neileh. The shadows were once more lengthen- ing, the sun was once more sinking in the west. The Shool-Goi began to light candles and lamps, and placed them on the tables and the window-ledges. Jews with faces white from exhaustion sat in the anteroom resting and refreshing themselves with a pinch of snuff, or a drop of hartshorn, and a few words of conversation. Everyone feels more cheerful and in better humor. What had to be done, has been done and well done. The Lord of the Universe has received His due. They have mortified themselves a whole day, fasted continuously, recited prayers, and begged forgiveness !
Now surely the Almighty will do His part, accept the Jewish prayers and have compassion on His people Israel.
Only Berel sits in a corner by himself. He also is wearied and exhausted. He also has fasted, prayed, wept, mortified himself, like the rest. But he knows that the whole of his toil and trouble has been thrown away. He sits troubled, gloomy, and depressed. He knows that they have now reached Nei'leh, that he has still time to repent, that the door of Heaven will stand open a little while longer, his repentance may yet pass through . . . otherwise, yet a little while, and the gates of mercy will be shut and ... too late !
