“Thy sense of duty is strong, Miriam, and thou art necessary to the happiness of the household in Damascus, yet because thou hast cherished the token which hath meant so much to me I almost thought—peradventure because I so wished it might be—”
She did not speak for so long that he peered under the awning, beholding a face that crimsoned as it looked into his and in the eyes a something which lit his own with rapturous hope.
“I could not be content to be free when thou wert still in bondage, Isaac.” The tones were very low, very sweet, very hesitant.
“Miriam,” he gasped, “thou canst not mean—thou dost not—”
But evidently she did, for the two maid servants exchanged smiles and meaning glances, and he continued to ride beside the chariot while they drew near to Damascus and the glad welcome of the House of Naaman.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] “A short sword buckled to the belt or girdle.”
[2] A timbrel was an instrument similar to our modern tambourine. A tabret was the progenitor of our modern drum, though smaller. Cymbals were the same to which we are accustomed.
[3] It is impossible to translate into modern terms the exact value of the treasure Naaman took into Israel, the figures of different authorities varying greatly, but none estimate it at less than $60,000, and some vary much more. At all events, it was considered a worthy and even a generous gift.
[4] Some authorities claim that at this period Syrian arms were renowned because she had repelled even mighty Assyria.