We prayed for the life of the maiden, and lo! He has given us this gateway to her spirit as well."Then Israel saw that as their voices entered the dark vault of Naomi's ears they startled and distressed her.So, to pacify her, he motioned them out of the chamber.They went away without a word.
The reason of Naomi's fears began to dawn upon them.An awe seemed to be cast over her by the solemnity of that great moment.It was like to the birth-moment of a soul.
And when the black people were gone from the room, Israel closed the door of it that he might shut out the noises of the streets, for women were calling to their children without, and the children were still shouting in their play.This being done, he returned to Naomi and rested her head against his bosom and soothed her with his hand, and she put her arms about his neck and clung to him.And while he did so his heart yearned to speak to her, and to see by her face that she could hear.
Let it be but one word, only one, that she might know her father's voice--for she had never once heard it--and answer it with a smile.
"Daughter! My dearest! My darling."
Only this, nothing more! Only one sweet word of all the unspoken tenderness which, like a river without any outlet, had been seventeen years dammed up in his breast.But no, it could not be.
He must not speak lest her face should frown and her arms be drawn away.
To see that would break his heart.Nevertheless, he wrestled with the temptation.It was terrible.He dared not risk it.