"The master will stay
with us to-night."
Obediently the girl came, still white of face, but composed. She made
a pallet of one roll of the matting, generously sprinkled the floor
about it with oil to keep away the insects, put the lamp behind the
amphora rack, hung her scarf over the frame that the light might not
shine in her guest's eyes, and set the door a little aside to let the
cool night air enter from the river. Having completed her service, she
bade him a soft good-night and disappeared into the inner crypt, where
Deborah had gone before her.
Kenkenes immediately flung himself upon the pallet because Rachel's
hands had made it, and in a moment became acutely conscious of all the
ache of body and the pain of soul the day had brought him. The first
deprived him of comfort, the second of his peace, and there was the
smell of dawn on the breeze before he fell asleep.
After sunset the next day Deborah roused him. He awoke restored in
strength and hungry. The old Israelite had prepared some of the
gazelle-meat for him, and this, with a draft of wine from an amphora,
refreshed him at once. Provisions had been put in his wallet, and a
double handful of golden rings, with several jewels, much treasure in
small bulk, had been wrapped in a strip of linen and was ready for him.
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