THE BAPTISM OF SOUND
WHAT had happened at Israel's house during Israel's absence is a story that may be quickly told.On the day of his departure Naomi wandered from room to room, seeming to seek for what she could not find, and in the evening the black women came upon her in the upper chamber where her father had read to her at sunset, and she was kneeling by his chair and the book was in her hands.
"Look at her, poor child," said Fatimah."See, she thinks he will come as usual.God bless her sweet innocent face!"On the day following she stole out of the house into the town and made her way to the Kasbah, and Ali found her in the apartments of the wife of the Basha, who had lit upon her as she seemed to ramble aimlessly through the courtyard from the Treasury to the Hall of Justice, and from there to the gate of the prison.
The next day after that she did not attempt to go abroad, and neither did she wander through the house, but sat in the same seat constantly, and seemed to be waiting patiently.She was pale and quiet and silent; she did not laugh according to her wont, and she had a look of submission that was very touching to see.
"Now the holy saints have pity on the sweet jewel," said Fatimah.
"How long will she wait, poor darling?"
On the morning of the day following that her quiet had given place to restlessness, and her pallor to a burning flush of the face.
Her hands were hot, her head was feverish, and her blind eyes were bloodshot.
It was now plain that the girl was ill, and that Israel's fears on setting out from home had been right after all.And making his own reckoning with Naomi's condition, Ali went off for the only doctor living in Tetuan--a Spanish druggist living in the walled lane leading to the western gate.This good man came to look at Naomi, felt her pulse, touched her throbbing forehead, with difficulty examined her tongue, and pronounced her illness to be fever.
He gave some homely directions as to her treatment--for he despaired of administering drugs to such a one as she was--and promised to return the next day.