Turning to the Emperor she cried in a happy voice: "O dearest Father, how glad I am to see thy face. I have had a most horrible nightmare. I have only just awoke. Who are these venerable old men? Where do they come from and why are they here?"
Before the Emperor could speak there was a terrific crash. Every piece of glass in the palace was smashed into atoms.
"What is that?" cried the Emperor in alarm.
The imperial servants ran hither and thither. They seemed to be dazed, fearing some fresh surprise. They came to the Emperor and said: "There is no one to be seen."
"Never mind," said the Emperor, "about the glass. It will be replaced. Now let us rejoice. My happiness in seeing my darling daughter restored to health knows no bounds." Turning to the princess he said: "These learned men have cured thee. I am now about to grant them any petition they may desire to make.
"I also," said the princess, "will give them precious jewels."
"Nay, gracious princess!" cried the Rabbis, "we will only accept thy noble father's favor. We ask for neither gold nor gems. We seek neither honor nor worldly goods."
"What do ye then require?"
"As your Majesty knows, we are Jews from the imperial province of Palestine. Your Majesty has
