They were at ease in Zion.

They passed the snuff-boxes and remarks about the weather.

The opportunities of skipping afforded by a too exuberant liturgy promoted conversation, and even stocks were discussed in the terrible _longueurs_ induced by the meaningless ministerial repetition of prayers already said by the congregation, or by the official recitations of catalogues of purchased benedictions.

Sometimes, of course, this announcement of the offertory was interesting, especially when there was sensational competition.

The great people bade in guineas for the privilege of rolling up the Scroll of the Law or drawing the Curtain of the Ark, or saying a particular _Kaddish_ if they were mourners, and then thrills of reverence went round the congregation.