“And pray, sir,” said he, with a ghastly smile, “what riches have you gathered that you are at last content to hoard no more?”
“None,” said Israel shortly.
Ben Aboo laughed lustily, and exchanged looks of obvious meaning with Katrina.
“And pray, again,” he said, with a curl of the lip, “without office and without riches how may you hope to live?”
“As a poor man among poor men,” said Israel, “serving God and trusting to His mercy.”
Again Ben Aboo laughed hoarsely, and Katrina joined him, but Israel stood quiet and silent, and gave no sign.
“Serving God is hard bread,” said Ben Aboo.
“Serving the devil is crust!” said Israel.
At that answer, though neither by look nor gesture had Israel pointed it, the face of Ben Aboo became suddenly discoloured and stern.
“Allah! What do you mean?” he cried. “Who are you that you dare wag your insolent tongue at me?”