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Carphina?”
    The young man grinned at him and pointed. “That red tent over there, but I think she’s busy right now.” He snickered, and a wicked light touched his eye. “Her husband’s gone on a hunting trip, but you’ll have to wait your turn with that one.”
    Disgusted with this news, Ardon left the young man, despising his lewd smile. He was proud of his family, the family of Caleb. And now to have their own flesh and blood dragging their name in the dust stirred his anger.
    Nearing the red tent that the young man had pointed out, Ardon stopped and thought about what to do. Then he heard Othniel’s voice and, without hesitating, stepped into the tent. It was gloomy inside after the bright sunlight, but light filtered in through several openings.
    Othniel was lying on a couch with a woman by his side. They were both drinking, but when Othniel caught sight of Ardon, he exclaimed in surprise, “Ardon, what are you doing here!”
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” Ardon snapped back, anger boiling up in him. “You’re a disgrace, Othniel, dallying with a married woman.”
    The woman was dressed in a clingy outfit that appeared to be blue silk. She had adopted the Egyptian method of cosmetics with the coal outlining her eyes, and she had arched her eyebrows. Her full, pouting lips were red with rouge, and her voice was shrill as she demanded, “Who is this, Othniel?”
    â€œHe’s my cousin,” Othniel said, somewhat shamefaced.
    â€œWell, he’s got some nerve coming into my tent like this. Tell him to get out.”
    Othniel swallowed hard and rubbed his hand through his thick reddish hair. “I think it might be better if you leave, Ardon.”
    â€œDon’t let him leave, Othniel. I would say he’s all right.”
    Ardon whirled around to see that another woman had entered the tent. She was past the first days of youth and was a little heavy. Still, there was a seductive light in her eyes, and she smiled and edged closer to him. “Introduce me to your friend, Othniel.”
    â€œThis is Danzia,” Othniel said hurriedly. “She’s a friend of Carphina.”
    â€œThere’s just four of us,” Danzia said with an inviting smile. “Just the right number for a party. We’re late, but we can start in, Ardon.” She pressed against him and ran her hand across his cheek.
    Ardon pushed her away disdainfully. It was not a hard push, but it was insulting.
    The woman stared at him for a moment, her eyes burning. “You think you’re too good for me?”
    Ignoring the woman, Ardon turned and said, “Othniel, we’re leaving.”
    â€œToo good for me!” the woman called Danzia shrilled in a piercing voice. “I heard about you. Othniel said you’re so good that you wouldn’t eat an egg laid on the Sabbath. A holy man.”
    â€œClose your mouth,” Ardon said sternly without even turning to face her. He took a step forward and said, “Othniel, you’re going one way or another.” He heard the woman leave the tent shouting curses at him, but his eyes were fixed on Othniel. “Get up!”
    â€œWait a minute, Ardon, I’m not ready to go yet.”
    Ardon stared down at the young man with whom he had been so close for so many years. Bitterness rose in him, and he shook his head, a painful expression on his face. “Don’t you have any shame?” he demanded, his voice cutting like a blade. “My father’s given you everything. He’s treated you like his own son, and what’s the thanks you show him? You make our name a disgrace in Israel….”
    Othniel dropped his head and hunched his shoulders. It was almost as if he were receiving physical blows. Ardon continued to lash at him with his words.
    Finally Othniel shook the woman’s hand away from his arm and muttered, “All right, all right, I’m coming. You