Joseph made haste to reply,—
“God’s word is true, and He is true. If you cannot accede to my petition to grant me a respite, give me leave to go to my wife and to bid her farewell.”
“This will I gladly allow,” exclaimed the angel, “in return for your kindness to me this day; you knew me not—yet have you treated me as a friend.”
The angel spoke so gently because his heart was full of sorrow. He knew that Joseph was a good and true man, and it grieved him to lead him through the valley of the shadow of death.
Joseph hastened to his wife’s apartment and entered. He found her rapt in prayer with tears in her eyes.
“Quick, my beloved,” he whispered, “my time is very short, I cannot stay here, I must hasten far away with the strange beggar. He has come to fetch me. Let me bless you for [[65]]your unfailing sweetness and love; come, let me kiss you for the last time.”
“If,” she cried, “you hasten away I will go with you, for now we are one and nothing shall ever part us, not even cruel death itself.”
With a passionate grip she took his hand and told him to lead her to the beggar. When she saw him, she said,—
“Stranger! you are still our guest beneath our roof. If you would repay our hospitality this day just grant me one little favour. Take me with my husband to the Eternal Judge and I will ask Him whether His holy word in the Law is true. Is it not written therein: ‘And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her, let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man take her’ ” (Deut. xx. 7)?
“Nay,” cried the angel, “I will go for you and I will bring you answer again.”