The day was over and the night
had come spreading its shadow over those wretched huts, heavily laden
with snow. The stars finally appeared in the sky, like hopes in the
coming eternity after the suffering of death's agony. The doors and
windows were closed and the lamps were lighted. The fellahin sat by
the fireside, warming their bodies. Rachel, Miriam and Khalil were
seated at a rough wooden table eating their evening meal when there
was a knock at the door and three men entered. Rachel and Miriam were
frightened, but Khalil remained calm, as if he awaited the coming of
those men. One of the Sheik's servants walked toward Khalil, laid his
hand upon his shoulder and asked, "Are you the one who was
expelled from the convent?" And Khalil responded, "Yes, I am
the one, what do you want?" The man replied, "We are ordered
to arrest you and take you with us to Sheik Abbas' home, and if you
object we shall drag you out like a butchered sheep over the
snow."
Rachel turned pale as she exclaimed,
"What crime has he committed, and why do you want to tie him and
drag him out?" The two women pleaded with tearful voices, saying,
"He is one individual in the hands of three and it is cowardly of
you to make him suffer." The men became enraged and shouted,
"Is there any woman in this village who opposes the Sheik's
order?" And he drew forth a rope and started to tie Khalil's
hands. Khalil lifted his head proudly, and a sorrowful smile appeared
on his lips when he said, "I feel sorry for you men, because you
are a strong and blind instrument in the hands of a man who oppresses
the weak with the strength of your arms. You are slaves of ignorance.
Yesterday I was a man like you, but tomorrow you shall be free in mind
as I am now. Between us there is a deep precipice that chokes my
calling voice and hides my reality from you, and you cannot hear or
see. Here I am, tie my hands and do as you please." The three men
were moved by his talk and it seemed that his voice had awakened in
them a new spirit, but the voice of Sheik Abbas still rang in their
minds, warning themm to complete the mission. They bound his hands and
led him out silently with a heavy conscience. Rachel and Miriam
followed them to the Sheik's home, like the daughters of Jerusalem who
followed Christ to Mount Calvary.
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