The little incident added the last touch of high spirits to the company and extorted all their latent humor.

Samuel excelled himself in vivacious repartee, and responded comically to the toast of his health as drunk in coffee.

Suddenly, amid the hubbub of chaff and laughter and the clatter of cutlery, a still small voice made itself heard.

It same from old Hyams, who had been sitting quietly with brow corrugated under his black velvet _koppel_.
"Mr.Levine," he said, in low grave tones, "I have been thinking, and I am afraid that what you have done is serious." The earnestness of his tones arrested the attention of the company.

The laughter ceased.
"What do you mean ?" said Samuel.