It was a yechidus night and, as usual, the Rebbe had received people until the early hours of the morning. When the last visitor had departed, he did not tidy up his desk and go home. Instead, he asked his secretary, Rabbi Groner, for the day’s mail.

Obediently, Rabbi Groner brought in several piles of letters that had been received that day. When he saw that the Rebbe was not merely interested in seeing how much mail had arrived, but began reading each letter and penning answers, Rabbi Groner found himself in a quandary.

He knew how taxing yechidus was, and he saw that answering these letters would take time. He wanted to suggest that the Rebbe go home and rest, leaving the letters until the next day, but he hesitated to interrupt the Rebbe and make his suggestion.

Finally, he had an idea. He wrote his suggestion on a note and put it on top of the next pile of letters.

The Rebbe read the note and looked up with a smile. “Would you like me to put off answering this question until tomorrow as well?” he asked Rabbi Groner, and went on to the next letter.