"
There was a silence in which Kenkenes felt accused and uncomfortable.
It would require little to make harsh the temper of the talk. It lay
with him, one of the race of offenders, to make amends.
"It is for me to admit Egypt's sin and ask a truce," he said gently.
"So be thou generous to me, since it is I who am abashed in her stead."
Again there was silence, broken at last by the Israelite in a voice
grown wondrously contrite.
"I do not reproach thee. Nor, indeed, is all Egypt at fault. The sin
lies with the Pharaohs."
"Ah! the gods forbid!" he protested. "Lay it on the shoulders of
babes, if thou wilt, but I am party to treason if I but give ear to a
rebuke of the monarch."
"I am not ignorant of the law. I shall spare thee, but I have
purchased my right to condemn the king."
"Thou indomitable! And I accused thee of fear. I retract. But tell
me--what is the journey's end? Is it the ultimate goal of all flesh?"
"Not so," she answered proudly. "It is Israel's inheritance promised
for four hundred years. The time is ripe for possession. We go
forward to enter into a land of our own."
"Thou givest me news. Come, be the Hebrews' historian and enlighten
me. Where lies the land?"
Rachel hesitated.
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