'It is very shocking, worse to me than the thought of the earthquake
or the pestilence.' 'I said "yes and no" and there is another side. The universe is so
wonderful, so intricate, that it is impossible to trace the
transformation of its forces, and when they seem to disappear the
disappearance may be an illusion. Moreover, "waste" is a word which
is applicable only to finite resources. If the resources are
infinite it has no meaning.'
Two customers came in and Baruch was obliged to leave. When he came
to reflect, he was surprised to find not only how much he had said,
but what he had said. He was usually reserved, and with strangers he
adhered to the weather or to passing events. He had spoken, however,
to this young woman as if they had been acquainted for years. Clara,
too, was surprised. She always cut short attempts at conversation in
the shop. Frequently she answered questions and receipted and
returned bills without looking in the faces of the people who spoke
to her or offered her the money. But to this foreigner, or Jew, she
had disclosed something she felt. She was rather abashed, but
presently her employer, Mr Barnes, returned and somewhat relieved
her.
'The gentleman who bought After Office Hours came for it while you
were out?'
'Oh! what, Cohen? Good fellow Cohen is; he it was who recommended
you to me. He is brother-in-law to your landlord.' Clara was
comforted; he was not a mere 'casual,' as Mr Barnes called his chance
customers.