Thus did Miriam end her Quest of the Hidden Heart, the same having been found.
CHAPTER IX
INTRODUCTIONS
It was a week later that Milcah’s voice interrupted Miriam’s slumbers: “Arise quickly and prepare thyself. This day thou goest with me to the shop of Amos, the perfumer.”
A pair of bright eyes flew open, a cheerful voice answered, and an agile little body was soon robing itself.
“Nay, not that garment, Miriam, but this which I have had woven for thee, and sandals for street-wear and this padded cloak. The morning is cool.”
The recipient of these unusual attentions gazed with delight, touching the gifts with admiration and wonder. “’Tis so white, Milcah, the robe, I mean, and it hath such a beautiful border of colored threads. I like it better than fringe and I never had so fine a cloak before nor such expensive sandals. They are like a pair sent to Rachel from this very city by her kinsman, Ezekiel.”
It had been a very different week from any Miriam had passed before. Milcah’s awkward motherliness had been all the more welcome since Isaac had been away on business for his master. She had seen him for but a brief and serious moment.
“When I return,” he had told her, “I must tell thee something thou shouldst have known before. Also, thou shalt see Rachel, but to-day there is not time enough,” and he was gone.
The speech had led to much speculation as to what that “something” might be, but then she was puzzled by quite a number of things in the new life. For instance, it was not a joyous household. No one was ever merry, and if any inadvertently laughed aloud, he or she immediately assumed an apologetic attitude which seemed strange when coupled with the evident prosperity of the House of Naaman. Also, though of lesser importance, there was one door in the Women’s Courtyard which never remained open and through which none passed save Milcah and, less often, Isaac. Miriam had never asked questions. To her, the Closed Door was an accepted but mystifying fact just as was the Joyless Household; just as had been the Lady of the Hidden Heart by whose side she was now crossing the courtyard.
At a point just outside the gate they met Isaac, who greeted them hurriedly. He had returned but an hour ago, he said, and was even now setting off on another errand on which he would be gone a few days. This being not unusual and Milcah likewise disposed to hasten, they went their separate ways, but Miriam was distinctly disappointed. He had not noticed the new garments of which she was so happily conscious; he had not inquired where she went on this, the first occasion she had left the House of Naaman since she had entered it; he had scarcely seemed to see her at all.