"Do you spit on the money, Hebrew?" she hissed.
"One adopts the customs of the country," answered Amram.
"Do you answer, unclean dog?"
"I answer speech, but not abuse."
The Hebrew went on, for a crowd began to gather. He met the barber,
Enoch, and they greeted each other with a sign which the Hebrews had
devised, and which signified, "We believe in the promise to Abraham,
and wait, patient in hope."
Amram reached at last the temple square, passed through the avenue
of Sphinxes, and stood before a little door in the left pylon. He
knocked seven times with his hand; a servant appeared, took Amram by
the arm and led him in. A young priest tied a bandage round his
eyes, and, after they had searched his bag, they took the
cabinet-maker by the hand, and led him into the temple. Sometimes they
went up steps, sometimes down them, sometimes straight-forward. Now and
then they avoided pillars, and the murmur of water was heard; at
one time there was a smell of dampness, at another of incense.
At last they halted, and the bandage was taken off Amram's eyes. He
found himself in a small room with painted walls, some seats, and a
cupboard. A richly-carved ebony door divided this room from a larger
one which on one side opened on to a broad staircase leading down to
a terrace facing eastward.
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