THE SHADOW OF EVIL'S REWARD
Avenge not yourselves; but rather give place unto wrath, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, and I will repay, saith the Lord.…
Be not overcome of evil; but overcome evil with good.
—The Epistle to the Romans.
When the door opened, I saw two men-servants, each bearing a candle, each looking as frightened as men could well look. One I recognised as the man to whom I had spoken in the morning, the other was evidently an under-servant.
Each stared at me and at the burden I bore in amazement. The one recognised me, the other evidently wondered who I was.
"May I ask what you want," said the old servant, "and why you arouse the house at this time of the night?"
"Show me a room where your mistress can rest," I said.
"My mistress?" said the man. "Great God, who are you?"
As he said this he took a look at Ruth's face, and then with a shriek of fear he rushed away from us.
"Come back," I said, "there is nothing of which you need be afraid."