"What meaneth thou, dear mistress?" she asked.
"Surely thou knoweth, maiden, that the magicians of the court of Benhadad, king of Syria, receive rich salaries," replied Claudia. "But even they possess not the power of this Elisha for they cannot heal the leper. Therefore, Elisha must be even more richly rewarded than are the magicians of Benhadad's court."
"Dear mistress, Elisha is no magician, but a holy man of God," said the little maid. "He dwelleth not at the court of the king, neither does he receive aught in recompense for the good that he doeth."
"I—I do not understand," murmured Claudia, perplexedly. "Why, Naaman, my husband, did take with him to Samaria ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold and ten changes of raiment with which to reward Elisha should he be healed of his leprosy."
Leah smiled.
"My lord will bring back with him from Damascus the ten talents of silver, the six thousand pieces of gold and the ten changes of raiment," she said, "for Elisha will have none of them."
Claudia sat for some moments in thought.
"Perhaps this Elisha is a seeker after fame, and so to win the praise of men he uses his power for the poor as well as the rich," she said, at length. "But I believe not that he will refuse the treasure which my husband carried with him to Samaria."
Leah did not answer. Claudia, after regarding her attentively for some moments, said:
"Thou seemeth to give no heed to my words, maiden. Dost thou in truth believe that Elisha will refuse to receive the treasure which Naaman carryeth with him?"