‘A friend to Israel.’
‘I am glad that Israel hath a friend. Noble Abi-dan, I have well considered all that hath passed between us. Sooth to say, you touched upon a string I’ve played before, but kept it for my loneliness; a jarring tune, indeed a jarring tune, but so it is, and being so, let me at once unto your friends, Abi-dan.’
‘Noble Jabaster, thou art what I deemed thee.’
‘Abidan, they say the consciousness of doing justly is the best basis of a happy mind.’
‘Even so.’
‘And thou believest it?’
‘Without doubt.’
‘We are doing very justly?’
‘‘Tis a weak word for such a holy purpose.’
‘I am most wretched!’