e Egyptians were pointing me out with their fingers
and that each Jew was spitting."

"But Thou didst give me thyself to the prince, father."

"I did, for what could I do? Of course it only seems to me that they
point and spit. Of Egyptians, whoever knows me bows the lower the
higher he is himself. Since Thou art here our lord Sesoforis has said
that he must enlarge my house; Chaires gave me a jar of the best wine,
and our most worthy nomarch himself has sent a trusty servant to ask if
Thou art well, and if I will not become his manager."

"But the Jews?" inquired Sarah.

"What of the Jews! They know that I did not yield of my own will. Every
one of them would wish to be constrained in like manner. Let the Lord
God judge us all. Better tell how Thou art feeling."

"In Abraham's bosom she will not have more comfort," said Tafet. "Every
day they bring us fruit, wine, bread, meat, and whatever the soul
wishes. And such baths as we have, all bronze, and such kitchen
utensils!"

"Three days ago," interrupted Sarah, "the Phoenician Dagon was here. I
did not wish to see him, but he insisted."

"He gave me a gold ring," added Tafet.

"He told me," continued Sarah, "that he was a tenant of my lord; he
gave me two anklets, pearl earrings, and a box of perfumes from the
land of Punt."

"Why did he give them to thee?" asked her father.

"For nothing. He simply begged that I would think well of him, and tell
my lord sometimes that Dagon was his most faithful servant."

"Very soon Thou wilt have a whole box of earrings and bracelets," said
Gideon, smiling. But after a moment he added: "Gather up a great
property quickly and let us flee back to our own land, for here there
is misery at all times, misery when we are in trouble, and still more
of it when we are prosperous."

"And what would my lord say?" asked Sarah, with sadness.

Her father shook his head.

"Before a year passes thy lord will cast thee aside, and others will
help him. Wert Thou an Egyptian, he would take thee to his palace; but
a Jewess."

"He will cast aside?" said Sarah, sighing.

"Why torment one's self with days to come, which are in the hand of
God? I am here to pass the Sabbath with thee."

"I have splendid fish, meat, cakes, and wine of the Jews," put in
Tafet, quickly. "I have bought also, in Memphis, a seven-branched
candlestick and wax tapers. We shall have a better supper than has Lord
Chaires."

Gideon went out on the flat roof with