קי

Afterward I went outside. And we stood to rest near a thick tree beside some house — put down a bundle — and people began to gather asking if we were book-sellers. And we began to show them books. But they barely understood us — only with great difficulty did some understand a little in the holy tongue. In the meantime a book-dealer came, spoke with us a little, took from us some small volumes of Mishnayos, gave us a small advance, and would take the rest tomorrow. And we still had no place to enter. And the day was turning to evening. In the meantime one came who said he would buy books and led us to his house. We asked to sleep there. At first he refused. After more urging — after insistence — he accepted us to sleep in his house. And we gave thanks and acknowledgment to Hashem Blessed be He. Afterward at night he told us himself: what made him accept us was only that his wife was not at home — but if his wife had been home he could in no way have received us — for their women did not receive guests — especially Ashkenazim. Afterward that night — a man came to us who was a cantor in a synagogue there, his name was Rabbi Yaakov, and he could speak our language somewhat. And he had also spoken with us a little during the day as he passed before us.