To the sorely tried youths, their enemy’s resources seemed unlimited. By turns he tried threats, blows, indifference, sarcasm, and ridicule, enlisting the sympathy and ready help of the assorted variety of hangers-on who might always be counted upon to linger in the vicinity of a rich man’s dwelling. To the gatekeeper’s surprise and disgust, it was all useless. Smarting under defeat and in great irritation the old man carried his grievance to Isaac.
“Right hast thou been to tell me,” the young man assured him. “Either they be thieves watching their opportunity, in which case the soldiers should pay heed to them, or else they bear a message sufficiently important to be heard. I will see them at once.”
Meanwhile the two on the roadway without held converse in low tones. “Not in vain have we daily watched these comings and goings,” said one, “for much have we learned of the ways of the household and the manner of behavior therein.”
“Yea, and what meaneth more to us,” responded his companion, “much have we learned as to whom it is that cometh and goeth: soldiers and servants, merchants and mendicants and messengers of various sorts as well as visitors of rank and distinction. Of importance must this man Naaman be and of considerable possessions. Thinkest thou he will demand more than we can pay?”
“Thou knowest the alternative,” was the grim answer.
“Then,” went on the speaker, “also have we seen the master himself, I take it, but never close enough to have speech with him. Likewise hath the mistress passed and a maiden who always goeth forth with her, a maiden very gorgeously appareled and of great beauty whom we supposed to be the daughter of the house save that her looks betray a different lineage. All these and more, yet never the young soldier, Isaac by name, who carried her away.”
“And if it were possible,” was the quick retort, “I would be content not to see him.”
“More concerned am I,” pursued the other, “that he should not see me. He may remember that out of his hand did I escape and seek to take me again. Yet to redeem my promise and thy vow are we come, and I shall not begrudge the price.”
At that moment an air of expectancy ran through the group outside the portal, a thrill which communicated itself even to the two who were conversing and who, by reason of the hostility offered them, had been obliged to surrender the strategic position opposite the entrance and take refuge under the wall at a little distance. The gatekeeper appeared, beckoning violently. The idle pauper group, each individual of which hoped this honor was for him, crowded about the man, only to be repulsed with grumbling curses. The two young men, having learned to expect nothing but unkindness, merely gazed and wondered. At last they became aware that it was they who were being called.
“Come, thou gaunt tricksters. Thou of the brawny arm,” to the younger, “and thou of the burning eyes,” to the elder. “Thou Israelitish impostors! Come and tell thy errand to the favorite servant of my lord Naaman. Come quickly that thou mayest be gone before he loseth patience.”