Zillah's eyelids fell, but it was in sleep. The breathing became regular.
"The fever has burned itself out; but it has burned up branch and stock, and left nothing but the root of life," said the physician.
A long sleep followed. At first consciousness came in lucid moments only. Then these periods lengthened until they became continuous.
Only Ruth was permitted to enter the sick-chamber. Zillah would look at her intently, evidently dividing her thoughts between wonder and admiration for the beautiful face of her attendant.
"Where am I?" she would ask.
"With me," would be the reply.
A kiss upon her brow was enough to restore perfect tranquillity, and with a smile the patient would go to sleep.
"What do I hear?" she one day asked.
"They are chanting our praises to the Lord for your recovery," said Ruth. "Listen!"
Old Ben Yusef was evidently the precentor, and the strong voice of Elnathan followed, accompanied by the well-known accent of Marduk: