"So I know!" cried Ben Aboo; "but all you had is not gone that way.
You're a fool, but not fool enough for that! Give up your keys--the keys of your house!"Israel hesitated, and then said, "Let me return for a minute--it is all I ask."
At that the woman laughed hysterically."Ah! he has something left after all!" she cried.
Israel turned his slow eyes upon her, and said, "Yes, madam, I _have_ something left--after all."Paying no heed to the reply, Katrina cried to Ben Aboo again, saying, "El Arby, make him give up the key of that house.
He has treasure there!"
"It is true, madam," said Israel; "it is true that I have a treasure there.
My daughter--my little blind Naomi."
"Is that all?" cried Katrina and Ben Aboo together.
"It is all," said Israel, "but it is enough.Let me fetch her.""Don't allow it!" cried Katrina.
Israel's face betrayed feeling.He was struggling to suppress it.
"Make me homeless if you will," he said, "turn me like a beggar out of your town, but let me fetch my daughter.""She'll not thank you," cried Katrina.
"She loves me," said Israel, "I am growing old, I am numbering the steps of death.I need her joyous young life beside me in my declining age.
Then, she is helpless, she is blind, she is my scapegoat, Basha, as I am yours, and no one save her father--""Ah! Ah! Ah!"
Israel had spoken warmly, and at the tender fibres of feeling that had been forced out of him at last the woman was laughing derisively.
"Trust me," she cried, "I know what daughters are.Girls like better things.No, I'll give her what will be more to her taste.
She shall stay here with me."