334 PINSKI
He said to himself with a groan that what had been was over and done; he would never grow young again, and once more a shudder went through him at the thought, and there came again the pain in his side and caught his breath, but Reb Shloimeh took no notice, and went on thinking. "Something must be done !" he said to himself, in the tone of one who has suddenly lost his whole fortune the fortune he has spent his life in getting together, and there is nothing for him but to start work again with his five fingers.
And Reb Shloimeh started. He began with the Talmud Torah, where he had already long provided for the children's bodily needs food and clothing.
Now he would supply them with spiritual things instruction and education.
He dismissed the old teachers, and engaged young ones in their stead, even for Jewish subjects. Out of the Talmud Torah he wanted to make a little university. He already fancied it a success. He closed his eyes, laid his forehead on his hands, and a sweet, happy smile parted his lips. He pictured to himself the useful people who would go forth out of the Talmud Torah. Now he can die happy, he thinks. But no, he does not want to die ! He wants to live ! To live and to work, work, work ! He will not and cannot see an end to his life! Reb Shloimeh feels more and more cheerful, lively, and fresh to work to work till
The whole town was in commotion.
There was a perfect din in the Shools, in the streets, in the houses. Hypocrites and crooked men, who had never before been seen or heard of, led the dance.
