"I thank thee, my father," she murmured.
"Dost thou think that Elisha will harken to thy request?" asked Ezra.
"I am sure that he will, for Elisha never turneth a deaf ear to the sorrowful and the afflicted," answered Leah. "Father, when may I journey to Samaria and seek the prophet?"
"Nay, nay, have patience, maiden," said Ezra. "We will talk of that later, now 'tis time to prepare the evening meal. Assist thy mother, while I go forth and feed our neighbor's ass."
He turned away.
The sun had set, but a faint flush of crimson still lingered in the west. The ass stood patiently, with drooping head.
A light flashed out from the low doorway. Ezra, as he fed and watered the tired beast, could see his wife and daughter moving about within; also the form of the cripple lad stretched upon the couch. Would that wan cheek ever glow with health? mused Ezra. That weak body be upright and sturdy, those helpless limbs strong and straight?
"From his birth hath he been a cripple, sickly and helpless," murmured Ezra. "But surely this man who hath power even to raise the dead to life can heal a cripple lad."
"Father! father!"