Two of R. Meir's sons died on the Sabbath. Their father missed them in the Synagogue and when he re-
turned home he asked after them. His wife put him off as she did not wish to tell him of the calamity on the Sabbath day. Towards the evening when he became impatient, she told him that a man had entrusted her with two jewels and now claimed his own again and asked him what she was to do, and whether she should return the jewels. He expressed great surprise at such a question and replied, “Certainly.” She then told him that two jewels had been entrusted to them by God and that now He had claimed them and she was thus able to comfort him.