Page:Ben-Hur a tale of the Christ.djvu/334

Rh &quot;As steward the care of the property will be mine.&quot;

&quot;Count thyself steward now; or wilt thou have it in writing?&quot;

&quot;Thy word simply is enough; it was so with the father, and I will not more from the son. And now, if the understanding be perfect—&quot; Simonides paused.

&quot;It is with me,&quot; said Ben-Hur.

&quot;And thou, daughter of Rachel, speak!&quot; said Simonides, lifting her arm from his shoulder.

Esther, left thus alone, stood a moment abashed, her color coming and going; then she went to Ben-Hur, and said, with a womanliness singularly sweet, &quot;I am not better than my mother was; and, as she is gone, I pray you, O my master, let me care for my father.&quot;

&quot;Ben-Hur took her hand, and led her back to the chair, saying, &quot;Thou art a good child. Have thy will.&quot;

Simonides replaced her arm upon his neck, and there was silence for a time in the room.

looked up, none the less a master.

&quot;Esther,&quot; he said, quietly, &quot;the night is going fast; and, lest we become too weary for that which is before us, let the refreshments be brought.&quot;

She rang a bell. A servant answered with wine and bread, which she bore round.

&quot;The understanding, good my master,&quot; continued Simonides, when all were served, &quot;is not perfect in my sight. Henceforth our lives will run on together like rivers which have met and joined their waters. I think their flowing will be better if every cloud is blown from the sky above them. You left my door the other day with what seemed a denial of the claims which I have just allowed in the broadest terms; but it was not so, indeed it was not. Esther is witness that I recognized you; and that I did not abandon you, let Malluch say.&quot;

&quot;Malluch!&quot; exclaimed Ben-Hur.

&quot;One bound to a chair, like me, must have many hands