"He told me," continued Sarah, "that he was a tenant of my lord; he gave me two anklets, pearl earrings, and a box of perfumes from the land of Punt."
"Why did he give them to thee?" asked her father.
"For nothing. He simply begged that I would think well of him, and tell my lord sometimes that Dagon was his most faithful servant."
"Very soon Thou wilt have a whole box of earrings and bracelets," said Gideon, smiling. But after a moment he added: "Gather up a great property quickly and let us flee back to our own land, for here there is misery at all times, misery when we are in trouble, and still more of it when we are prosperous."
"And what would my lord say?" asked Sarah, with sadness.
Her father shook his head.
"Before a year passes thy lord will cast thee aside, and others will help him. Wert Thou an Egyptian, he would take thee to his palace; but a Jewess."
"He will cast aside?" said Sarah, sighing.
"Why torment one's self with days to come, which are in the hand of
God? I am here to pass the Sabbath with thee."
"I have splendid fish, meat, cakes, and wine of the Jews," put in
Tafet, quickly. "I have bought also, in Memphis, a seven-branched
candlestick and wax tapers. We shall have a better supper than has Lord
Chaires."