"Very well, come along. Shall we go to my house?"
Issachar nodded, without speaking.
They walked quickly, as though in a hurry. Passing the seven sanctuary courts they came to the street. They never spoke and only as they drew near Tuta's estate, Merira said:
"What time is it?"
"About seven," Issachar answered, glancing at the sky. The time of the night was reckoned from sunset.
"Another five hours before sunrise. Well, there is plenty of time," Merira said.
They walked through the garden to the summer house. In the hall Merira took a lamp burning in a niche in the wall and led Issachar through several empty chambers. They went up the stairs, passed Merira's bedroom and entered the room next to it.
"Lie down here," Merira said, pointing to a couch, "I shall be next door. Lie still, don't get up and don't come in to me, do you hear?"
Issachar again nodded silently.
"Are you hungry? I expect you have not tasted food for the last day or two. See how thin you are."