Read Online No Woman So Fair by Gilbert Morris - Free Book Online Page B

a close hiding spot, sneaked back into the street, merging once again in the crowd, where she could watch Abram’s tall figure as he led the girl along. She saw him bend down more than once and speak to her, and she saw the gratitude on the slave girl’s face.
    ****
    Sarai had said nothing to anyone about what had happened, but she was aware that Abram had asked her mother to take care of the girl until he could locate a new owner for her.
    At the evening meal Abram was quiet, as usual, while Garai talked ceaselessly. The slave girl, looking quite frightened, came in bearing a large bowl of fruit, but as the meal continued, she seemed to relax. She had been washed and was wearing a clean garment and her hair was tied back. She was a pretty girl, despite the scars on her face and body from the frequent mistreatment by her former owner, and Sarai wondered what it would be like to be a slave. She herself had never suffered badly, and now, for the first time in her life, she wondered what it would be like to be forced to do every depraved thing a man could think of and to be beaten for no reason. Her heart flooded with compassion, and she looked toward Abram, who was smiling at the girl. Again she wondered what kind of a man would do such a thing.
    After the meal Abram and Garai went to the courtyard to talk of business, and Sarai went to Abram’s guest quarters, where she found the girl alone.
    With a frightened look on her face, the girl said timidly, “Master Abram’s gone, lady.”
    â€œYes, I know,” Sarai replied. “You’re new here, aren’t you?”
    â€œYes, I belong to Master Abram.”
    â€œWell, he’s a good man. I think you will like being in his service.” She began to question the girl gently and found out, after some difficulty, that she had had an even harder life than Sarai had imagined. The girl’s family had died of a plague, and she had been passed around to various relatives, the last of whom had sold her into slavery. The burly man had mistreated her frightfully, although she would not give specifics.
    â€œAnd what will you do now, Layona?”
    The girl looked at her and smiled. “I belong to Abram. I will do as he says.”
    â€œThat’s a good girl.” Sarai smiled, then returned to the living quarters until she saw Garai come inside and head for his bedroom. She went out to the courtyard, where she found Abram alone, enjoying the cool night air. He nodded to her respectfully as she approached and asked, “Have you had a good day, Abram?”
    â€œWhy, yes, I have. Very good.”
    Sarai hesitated. “I was there on the street. I saw what happened between you and the man, the one you bought Layona from.”
    Abram looked surprised. “I didn’t see you.”
    â€œNo, you were concerned about the girl. I don’t think many men would have done what you did.”
    He dropped his head, embarrassed. “I…I don’t like to see anyone mistreated.”
    Sarai suddenly found herself liking this man a great deal. “Come inside. Mahita’s made a special brew. It’s very good.”
    â€œAll right,” Abram said, surprised at the invitation, the first he had had from Sarai. He followed her inside and waited in the living area while she went into the kitchen. She quickly returned, carrying a gourd with two reeds sticking out of the top.
    â€œWe’ll share this,” she said, sitting down and indicating for him to sit beside her.
    It was a form of sharing Abram had never seen before, but he sipped the brew through the reed straw, conscious of the sweet anointing perfume Sarai had on. “It’s very good,” he said quickly.
    â€œMahita knows how to make the best things. She’s a fine cook. She makes this concoction from grape juice and some other ingredients. I’m going to get her to show me how to do it.”
    â€œI’d like to know myself. My mother likes