Mr. Benas frowned slightly: "That means I must give not only my millions but also my son to the cause?" The words sounded good-humored, yet as though he were making fun of himself. "That is building Utopia at heavy expense to me."
"Zion, father, Zion, wherever it may be."
"_n.o.blesse oblige_," Mrs. Benas interrupted. "That was the lesson of our visit to Uncle Leopold"s, those memorable days under the shelter of the Patriarch."
"Mamma is right," said Victor. "And if all Jews thought and acted as you have done, dear father, then happiness and hope would find lodging even among the unfortunate members of our persecuted race, and blessings would spring up. Where? Well, the world is so big and so great....
Civilization is so eager to conquer, and Israel so persistent and enduring."
His tone was cordial, convincing, and soothing.
Involuntarily Rita stepped to his side, and he drew her gently to him.
"And he who speaks thus, father, is--"
"He is the _fiance_ of our daughter, of your sister, Hugo," Mr. Benas quickly interrupted.
It was spring time. In beauty and splendor the spring had taken possession of the earth! In youth, joy, and glory everything seemed changed, and awakened to new life by the sweet kisses of the sun. Lovers are peculiarly sensitive to such joy. Entranced, Rita and Victor were looking out from the terrace of the house upon the park, which, in its green attire, lay before them in Easter splendor. Victor had taken Rita"s hand, and held it in silent happiness.
Hugo approached them with two open letters in his hand.
"Mother said I should find you here."
"Is it not beautiful here, Hugo?" asked his sister. "At this time of the year Berlin always seems wonderful to me, especially out here. How glorious it is!"
He paid no attention to her remarks and said: "I looked for you to show you these letters, one from Henry, and the other...." He looked at one of the letters. "Elkish informs me that he has decided to retire."
Her expression became sad: "We might have foreseen that," she said in a low voice.
"He wishes to return with his sister to his home in Lissa."
"What does father say?"
"He feels he must accept the resignation, and will, of course, allow him a proper pension."
Victor had listened in silence to the conversation between sister and brother.
"Is he an old retainer of your house?"
Rita nodded a.s.sent.
"Is he going because I have come? Does his fanaticism drive him away?"
"Perhaps, but may be he is worn out."
It was apparent from the tone of her voice that she herself had no faith in her rea.s.suring words.
"O no," said Hugo, "he goes because he can no longer comprehend us, so he writes, and he does not wish to make the leave-taking hard, therefore...."
"He does not wish to see me again?" Rita cried out in pain.
Superiority was sharply expressed in his countenance, strong self-consciousness, untempered by sympathy. Rita looked at Weilen as though to beg his pardon, while Hugo"s serious eyes gazed into vacancy.
For several minutes there was silence, then Dr. Weilen asked: "And what does your friend Rosenfeld write?"
Hugo breathed freely, as if a burden had been lifted from off his soul.
"He! He wishes you joy from the bottom of his heart. He is delighted to hear that Rita is happy." Then he looked over the letter as if searching for a particular pa.s.sage. "Here: "I thank you for the news of your sister"s engagement. Such a girl"s choice can only bring happiness, and make her happy; for truth and purity are united in her, and such natures as hers are sure to find what is right. What little I know of Dr. Weilen warrants this a.s.surance. Dr. Weilen seems to me a man of deep insight and fine feeling, in whom strength and tenderness go together--qualities desirable in the husband of a highly intellectual woman like Rita. Devout in her tender soul and tolerant in her clear head, that is her personality. Her mission is to minister to the happiness of one individual. But as for us, we must think of the common weal, and to it we will dedicate our strength and our blood. And now let us set forth on the road, even though it be wearisome. Let us be up and doing.... Let us labor in behalf of our co-religionists." He folded the letter. "Yes, that shall be our mission."
Mr. and Mrs. Benas had stepped into the door and stood looking at their children. They had overheard Hugo"s last words, and they appreciated the solemnity of the moment. And the consummation of their hopes was glorified by the soft, golden radiance of the spring.
GLOSSARY
(_All words given below, unless otherwise specified, are Hebrew. The transliteration aims to reproduce the colloquial p.r.o.nunciation of Hebrew words by German Jews._)
AL CHET. "For the sin," beginning of a confession of sins.
AMh.o.r.eZ. Ignoramus.
AMRAZIM. Plural of the previous word. Ignoramuses.
BAAL-MILCh.o.m.oH. Soldier.
BAALE-BATIM. Householders. Substantial and respectable members of the community, who contribute to its support.
BAR-MITZVAH. Religious majority, at the age of thirteen, when a Jewish lad is expected to take all religious duties upon himself.
BEKOVET. Honorable; dignified.
BESOMIM. Spices, used at the ceremony of _Habdalah_, marking the end of the Sabbath.
BORUCH HA-SHEM. "Blessed be the Name" (of G.o.d).
CHAROSETH. A mixture of apples, raisins, wine, cinnamon, etc., used at the _Seder_, symbolic of the mortar which the Israelites prepared in Egypt.
CHAS VE-SHOLEM. "Mercy and peace." Heaven forbid!
CHAVRUSSEH. Society; company.
CHAZEN. Cantor; precentor.
CHOCHMES. Wise ideas; oversubtle notions.
CHOMETZ BATTELN. To do away with all leaven (before Pa.s.sover).
CHUTZPEH. Arrogance; audacity; impudence.