The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-04-15
CHAPTER XIX.

@REAK-creak-k!
That was the well-wheel
turning.
Creak-k!
JoeHs subconsciousness had been
waiting, all alert, for the sound,
though to all appearance he lay on
his side as profoundly asleep as a
tired dog. He sat up now as
though he had been pricked.
Creak-k!
Joel was on his feet. His SAN
dals lay where he had kicked them
off before stretching out on the
mattress. He yawned once prodi-
giously, rubbed his eyes with his
fists like little boy and then
stepped softly to the doorway. He
drew the curtain back very little
way. It moved easily, its wooden
rings sliding without sound on
wooden rod. He was peering out
into house court. On one side
a green-railed staircase led up to a
little square platform upon which
a green-painted door opened. I'm
der the flight of steps row of
earthen flower pots were set out,
and opposite them, projecting from
the wall that Joeps doorway
pierced, was the well-wheel, the
well beneath it being merely a
square hole in the floor of the
court surrounded by coping a
few inches in height. All objects
were indistinct in the cold grey
ness that comes before the morn
ing, but by the well-wheel was a
figure.
Creak-k!
A white veil covered Adams
head as she handled the wet well
cord. Her blue robe was tied in
at the waist by a red cincture.
When she had wakened the morn
ing star still shone with milky
lustre. Her bed had been bed of
dreams, and now, as she moved in
the grey dawn, her dreams were
mingled with the automatic actions
she performed.
Creak! Creak-k!
It was the complaint of the
rustily turning well-wheel, but to
the heart of the fifteen-year-Old
girl it sang wonderful words from
the love song of Solomon-"as the
apple tree among the trees of the
wood so is my beloved among the
sons. My beloved is mine and |
am his"
"Why can't l go out and help
her?' said Joers thought as he
stood by the wooden curtain. But
he couldn't. The very idea of such
initiative paralyzed him.
Two tall stone jars flanked the
well hole. Adah filled these. They
held the days supply of water for
the perpetual cleansing of hands
and utensils that was predominant
in the sacred routine of Jewish
life. Then she filled a two-handled
terra-cotta vessel, and poured
water upon the hyacinths and
narcissi growing in the flower pots.
A wild-rose pink TRANSPORTED the
shredded clouds that were like a
vague flight of birds or angels
across the visible sky.
"She bends like lily on plant
stemv' said Joel's thoughts. His
eyes were fastened upon The white
veil of the girl as though it were
the veil of the Holy of Holes.
"He is in Galilee," said Adams
thought, as she bent above the
hyacinths, whose curling petals
were Of ineffable greyish blue, like
the hue of star sapphire. "Does
he think of me? Is he safe?
When will he return? Oh, Lord of
our lives, may the shadow of your
hand be over him."
Like a delicately colored flower
the dawn bloomed overhead, ap-
preaching perfection moment by
moment. Adah, standing in the
center of the court, scattered
handful of grain. Half a dozen
pigeons fluttercd down with noisy
wings, pecking about her feet.
"My goddess" cried Joel's inner
self. Spiritually he dropped on
his knees. The pigeons became
confused with the doves of Pagan
Aphrodite. He would scarcely