His boots had the Sabbath polish.

The hat was the one he bought when he first set up as a _Baal Habaas_ or respectable pillar of the synagogue; for even in the smallest _Chevra_ the high hat comes next in sanctity to the Scroll of the Law, and he who does not wear it may never hope to attain to congregational dignities.

The gloss on that hat was wonderful, considering it had been out unprotected in all winds and weathers.

Not that Mr.Belcovitch did not possess an umbrella.

He had two,--one of fine new silk, the other a medley of broken ribs and cotton rags.