The man continued his wild jabber as long as Israel's eyes were on him, and Israel dropped two coins into his hand and passed on.
Oh no, no, no; Naomi was not the most afflicted of all God's creatures.
And yet, and yet, and yet, her bodily infirmities were but the type and sign of how her soul was smitten.
On the hill outside the town the young Mahdi, with a great company of his people, was waiting for him to bid him godspeed on his journey.
And then, while they walked some paces together before parting, and the prophet talked of the poor followers of Absalam lying in the prison at Shawan (for he had heard of them from Israel), Israel himself mentioned Naomi.
"My father," he said, "there is something that I have not told you.""Tell it now, my son," said the Mahdi.