The warrior, who could not cross the brook at this place, or anywhere near it, called as they went away, "Tell me thy master's name!"
Assar turned and answered, "I will beg him come to thee."
A hill hid them from the eyes of the warrior, and Mirjam said, "Assar!"
Assar replied, "Mirjam! I have never loved thee as dearly as I do to-day—I do not know if it is a curse or a blessing which is in my veins. Thou hast listened to the words of the heathen."
"I listened to them because he spoke kindly; but I have not betrayed the Lord nor thee."
"Thou hast permitted his words to reach thy ear and thy soul."
"What could I do, Assar? He spoke kindly."
Assar stood still, and said to himself, "Yes, he spoke kindly. They do speak kindly. And they spoke kind words to the poor girls who danced around the idol in the grove. Had they spoken harsh and threatening words, they would not have danced."
Again he stood still, and said to himself, "If they came using force, the rabbi would kill her and then himself, or she would throw herself from a rock of her own free will. But who can set a guard to watch over kind words?"
The third time he stood still, and said, "O Israel, thou canst not bear kind words!"