Emma Howard Wight

“ Go wash seven times in the Jordan? What marvelous power doth the Jordan possess? But enough of this folly. Thy master doth but speak in jest. Go say to him that Naaman of Syria came not to be mocked, but to be cured of his leprosy, and that he bringeth with him a great treasure with which to reward Elisha."
"My lord, it would avail naught for me to carry thy message to my master," said the servant. "Elisha hath spoken," and, turning, he passed quietly among the servants of Naaman and entered the lowly dwelling of his master. ”

“ Dost thou in truth believe that Elisha will refuse to receive the treasure which Naaman carryeth with him?"
"I know dear mistress, that Elisha will refuse to accept the treasure which my lord carryeth with him to Samaria," replied the little maid, firmly. "Elisha careth not for riches nor the praise of men. He seeketh only to please and serve the Lord who hath given to him his great power."
"What manner of man is this Elisha who can inspire such great and unswerving [80] faith?" mused Claudia. ”

“ Chapter IV.
"What is thy will with me, good Naaman?" asked Benhadad, king of Syria, with whom the Syrian general stood high in favor.
"I am come to seek counsel of thee, my lord," replied Naaman. "My wife hath a maid-servant who cometh from the land of Israel, and this maiden sayeth that in Samaria there is a prophet called Elisha, who hath done most marvelous things even to the raising of the dead to life. The maiden claimeth that if I seek the prophet, Elisha, he will heal me of my leprosy. What thinketh thou, my lord? dost thou believe that which the maiden sayeth be true?" ”

“ Ezra, the hearts of our children are sad that thou delayeth the maiden's journey to Samaria."
"Our children be young and knoweth not patience," said Ezra.
"Nay, Ezra, our son and eldest-born hath never known youth," sadly answered Sarah. "Youth is sturdy of body, light of limb, joyous of heart. Isaac knoweth naught of [22] these things. Impatient, sayeth thou, Ezra? Ay, and thou also would be impatient, even with the years of wisdom upon thy shoulders, if thou wert crippled from birth, and when the light of hope shone, for the first time, across thy dark pathway, thou wert bidden to wait." ”

“ Claudia smiled indulgently.
"Thou art of the land of Israel, little one," she said, "and, therefore, thou dost believe that the God Israel worships be the only true God. Perhaps, if thou dwelleth long in Syria, thou will learn to worship Syria's god."
"No, dear lady, that could never be," replied Leah, earnestly. "I may see no more my people and my country, but I shall ever remain faithful to my God. He dwelleth not alone in the land of Israel, but he ruleth [81] over all the earth. 'Tis He, Who through his prophet, will heal thy husband of his leprosy." ”

“ Into the maiden's soft eyes there crept a troubled look.
"Oh, dear father speak not thus," she cried, imploringly. "Surely thou knoweth that unless we have faith, nothing will be granted unto us. Why shouldst thou or I doubt the wonders imputed to Elisha, for is he not a holy man of God?"
"Thou art only a maiden, but thou speaketh words of wisdom which do rebuke thy father," said Ezra. "Tell me, my son," turning to Isaac, "dost thou also believe that this man, Elisha, hath power to heal thee, who art from thy birth a cripple?" ”

“ Sarah thought that the little maid had fallen asleep, so still she lay, but, as Ezra suddenly roused himself and spoke, Leah, sat upright, her eyes eagerly seeking his face across which the light from within fell.
"Maiden," said Ezra, "I have been considering the matter of thy seeking the prophet, Elisha, in Samaria. When ten days have passed the fruits [17] will again have ripened; then will I borrow the ass of our neighbor and thou shalt journey to Samaria. When thou hast sold thy fruits thou canst seek the prophet, Elisha." ”

“ She shrank back with a faint cry.
"Ay, 'tis true," he continued, bitterly. "All Damascus doth know [34] what I have feared to tell to thee because I love thee; because I did fear to read in thy sweet eyes the horror and the loathing with which all regard me. The leper is accursed, unclean, whom many loathe, all pity, but none may love."
"Nay, thou art wrong," murmured Claudia, tenderly. "Thy wife doth love thee, ay, but the more tenderly because of thy affliction."
Into Naaman's haggard eyes there flashed a look of joy. ”

“ Leah, the little maid, watched her mistress wistfully, tenderly. One morning, as she sat at Claudia's feet, she looked up into her pale, beautiful face and said:
"Why art thou so sad, my dear mistress?"
"Ah, maiden," replied Claudia, "thou canst not understand the tortures of suspense which consume me."
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"Suspense!" repeated the little maid. "Then thou dost doubt the power of Elisha to heal my lord of his leprosy?"
"Yes," answered Claudia. "For how can man be possessed of such power?" ”

“ Naaman smiled.
"Naaman shall not render thanks to Rimmon, god of Syria," he said. "Nor doth Naaman fear the anger of Syria's god. Nay, be not troubled, my good Masrekah, all will be well with Naaman."
Naaman then arrayed himself in his purple robe and passed on to his chariot. For a moment he stood gazing upon the waters of the Jordan to which the crimson glow from the setting sun lent fleeting beauty. His eyes were filled with a great joy, an immeasurable peace. Then he stepped into his chariot and motioned for the caravan to proceed. ”

“ Early upon the morning following a servant came to Leah and said:
"There be a lad outside the gates of the palace who desires speech with thee."
"A lad desires speech with me," said the little maid, wonderingly. "But I know no lad in Damascus."
"He inquired for the Israelite maiden who is a slave in the house of Naaman," replied the servant. "'Tis only a ragged beggar lad," and the servant turned scornfully away. ”

“ The days passed very slowly and wearily to Claudia, wife of Naaman, as she awaited in her palace home the return of her husband. Sometimes her heart was filled with hope, then, again, she would be plunged into the deepest despondency, when it seemed madness to believe that any man had power to heal the leper. ”

“ Thou art also a great lady, for thou weareth rich garments and rare jewels."
Claudia smiled.
"Thy answer doth please me, little maid; thou hath an apt tongue," she said. "I am Claudia, wife of Naaman."
The soft, dark eyes of the little maid were lifted to Claudia's face with a swift look of compassion. For a moment Claudia shrank back and was silent.
[37]
"Ah," she thought, "even this slave-girl knoweth that Naaman is a leper and doth pity Naaman's wife. Wouldst thou like to enter my service, maiden?" she asked. "If so, no doubt, thou canst be bought of thy master, Eucadeus." ”

“ An hour before sunset, upon the day following his departure from Damascus, the caravan of Naaman reached the banks of the Jordan. The Jordan was very different from the beautiful Syrian rivers, Abaha and Pharpar. ”