"So these holy men on the train were arguing if they should have a minyon
or not because there were only three of them. But finally they decided
after a theological discussion that it would be all right to have the
minyon. It was dark already and the train was going fast and the three
Jews stood up in their place at the end of the car and began the prayer.
"And pretty soon I began to hear voices. Yes, from under nearly every
seat. Voices praying. A mumble-bumble that filled the car. I didn't know
what to make of it for a few minutes. But then I remembered. Of course,
the car was full of rabbis or at least holy men and they were as usual
riding with their beards folded up under the seats.
* * * * *
"So," smiled Mishkin, "the prayer continued and some of the passengers who
were listening began to smile. You can imagine. But the three Jews paid no
attention. They went on with the minyon. And now, listen, now comes the
whole story You will laugh. But it is true. I saw it with my own eyes.
"The prayer, like I told you, must be said standing up. At least it is a
sin to say the last part of the prayer, particularly the 'amen,' without
standing up. So as the prayer came towards its finish imagine what
happened.
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