He turned his candid gaze towards her.
"She did not go," he said.
Miriam made a sudden movement to the door.
"Now that thou art safe, Joseph, I have naught further to do here. God keep thee."
Her bosom heaved. She hurried out.
"Poor Miriam!" sighed Rachel. "She is a loving, trustworthy maiden. She will not breathe a whisper of thy blasphemies."
Joseph sprang from his feet as if galvanized.
"Not breathe a whisper! But, mother, I shall shout them from the housetops."
"Hush! hush!" breathed his mother in a frenzy of alarm. "The neighbors will hear thee."
"It is what I desire."