e murket continued stoically. "If
the gods will but tolerate thee till the madness leaves thee after thou
art wedded and satisfied, it may be that thou wilt turn again to the
faith of thy fathers. But if I would fix thee in thine apostasy I
should try to persuade thee now."

"Aye, and further, I should be moved to urge thee into heresy," calmly
responded Kenkenes.

The murket flung up one hand in a gesture of dissent, and arising,
walked toward the door of the workroom. There he leaned his shoulder
against the frame and looked out at the night. Presently Kenkenes went
to him and laid his hand on his sleeve.

The murket spoke first, proving what thoughts had been his during the
little space of silence.

"There is little patriotism in thee, Kenkenes. Thou wouldst wed with
one of Egypt's enemies and bow down to the God which has devastated thy
country."

The hand on his sleeve fell.

"What did Egypt to Israel for a hundred years before these miseries
came to pass?" Kenkenes asked. "Let me tell thee how Egypt hath used
Rachel. She is free-born, of noble blood, even as thou art and as I
am. Her house was wealthy, the name powerful. There were ten of her
family--four of her mother's, six of her father's. Rameses, the
Incomparable Pharaoh, had use for their treasure and need of their
labor in the brick-fields and mines. This day Rachel possesses not
even her own soul and body, nor one garment to cover herself, nor a
single kinsman to shield her from the power of her masters! Well for
Egypt that the God of Israel hath not demanded of Egypt treasure for
treasure seized, toil for toil compelled, lash for lash inflicted,
blood for blood outpoured! This desolation had been thrice desolate
and Egypt's glory gone like the green grass in the breath of the
Khamsin! And yet would such justice restore to Rachel the love she
lost, the comfort that should have been hers? Nay, not even the
sorcery of Mesu might do that. The debt of Egypt to Rachel is most
cheaply discharged by the service of one life for the ten which were
taken from her!"

"Let be; Israel shall cumber Egypt no longer," the murket muttered
after a little; "and the quarrel between them shall be at an end. The
hour approacheth when every Hebrew shall leave Egypt--shall be driven
forth if he leave it not willingly."

"Thinkest thou so of a truth?" Kenkenes asked earnestly.

"Of a truth. Thou seest the plight of the nation. Can it endure
longer?