“But not for life?”
“I sware it.”
“Did the child’s father know what thou hadst sworn? as if not, perchance there may be means to release thee.”
The black eyes flashed fire.
“I tell you, I sware unto him by Adonai, the God of Israel, and He knew it! In the lowest depths and loftiest heights of my own soul I sware, and He heard it. I repeated the vow this night, when I clasped the boy to my heart once more. God will do so to me and more also, if I bring not the boy unhurt to his father and his mother at the Judgment Day!”
“But, my daughter, if it can be loosed?”
“What do I care for your loosing? He will not loose me. And the child shall not suffer. I will die first.”
“Let the child tarry till he has recovered: did I not say so? Then he must go forth.”
“If you turn him forth, you turn me forth with him.”
“Nonsense!”