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.Look at those others overthere."As she moved laboriously up the steps, she looked at each abandoned man or woman onthe white gleaming steps of the Asklepion.She wanted to cry out in anger.More thantwenty sickand dying slaves had been left here by their callous masters.Some had already died andwould soon be carted away by temple attendants.Others, like the old man, lay halfconscious, without hope or comfort, awaiting death.A few moaned in pain and delirium.Temple attendants were already moving some--not to care for them, but to get them outof sight so that they might not offend the eyes of early morning worshipers, some ofwhom had already arrived on plush, veiled litters born aloft by slaves.As the wealthydevotees alighted and walked up the steps, they kept their eyes straight ahead, focusingon the majestic temple rather than on the human suffering before it.They had their ownproblems to concern them and--contrary to those sprawled about them--the money neededfor ceremonial offerings and prayers.Hadassah bent to another man.She turned him gently andfound he was already dead.As she rose, she felt weak and nauseated.So much pain andsuffering, and yet only one of these pitiful creatures would gain Alexander's full attentionand medical assistance.God, who is it to be? Whose life will you spare today? Shelooked around, confused and disheartened.Who, Lord?She sensed someone watching her and turned.Several steps above her lay a large, darkskinned man, his black, fever-glazed eyes staring at her without blinking.His featureswere aquiline, and he was wearing a soiled gray tunic.An Arab.He reminded her piercingly of the long march from Jerusalemwhen she had been chained with other captives.Men who lookedvery much like him had thrown dung at her and the other Jewishprisoners.Men like him had spit on her as she passed by.This one, Lord? She looked away, her gaze passing again overall the others and coming back to the Arab above her.This one.Hadassah labored up the steps toward him.His fingers worked beads swiftly with each prayer he rasped.To Vishnu.She lowered herself painfully onto the marble step just belowhim and put her walking stick aside.She cupped his hand in hers,stilling his futile, repetitive pleas."Shhh," she said gently."God hears your prayers." Hisfingers loosened, and she took the prayer beads and tucked them into her sash forsafekeeping should he want them later.She touched his forehead tentatively and assessedhis eyes as he gazed up at her.She was surprised at the fear in his eyes.Did he think shewas the specter of death beneath her veils? His breathing was labored.She raised her head and motioned to Alexander."Over here, my lord!"Alexander hurried toward her.As he reached them, the mancoughed.It came deep from his lungs, wracking his body.Alexanderwatched small spots of blood stain the pristine marble."Lung fever,"he said grimly and shook his head."This is the one," Hadassah said and slipped her arm beneaththe man's broad shoulders."Hadassah, the disease has already consumed his lungs.I can'tdo anything for him."Ignoring him, she spoke to the Arab."We're taking you homewith us.We will give you medicine and food.You will have shelter and rest." She helpedhim into a sitting position."God has sent me to you.""Hadassah," Alexander said, his mouth flattening out."This one," she said, and Alexander looked at her sharply.Hehad never felt such fierce determination from her before."Very well," he said and put his hand heavily on her shoulder."I'll take him." He drew her to her feet and set her aside.Handing her the walking stick,he looked around for help and called to temple attendants.Eager to have the ill manremoved from their midst, they lifted him easily to a rented litter.Alexander looked at the Arab again.Drugs and time would bewasted on this one.Hadassah lingered, looking at all the others they had to leavebehind to die."Come, Hadassah.We must show these men the way," Alexander said.She lowered herhead in a way that told him she was weeping silently beneath her veils.He frowned."Ishould've left you at the booth rather than bring you to see this."Her hand whitened on the walking stick as she walked with him."Is it better to hide from what's happening in the world thanto know?""Sometimes.Especially when there's nothing you can do tochange it," he said, slowing his pace to make it easier on her."You are changing it for one man," she said.He looked at the Arab being carried on the open-air litter.Hisdusky skin had a faint tinge of gray and sheen of sweat.Deep hollows were beneath hiseyes."I doubt he'll live.""He will live."Alexander was amazed at her conviction, but he had learnedpast experience to respect what she said.She had knowledgehe couldn't fathom."I'll do what I can for him, but it'll be up toGod whether he lives or dies.""Yes," she said and fell into silence.He knew by the way shelimped and held her walking stick that all her efforts were nowconcentrated on making her way through the crowded streets.Hestayed just ahead of her with the litter to his left in order to protect her way.She was tiredand in pain.She needed no careless passersby jostling her, and he meant to make surenone did.When they reached the booth, Alexander placed the Arab onthe table to examine him further.Hadassah took the goatskin bottle from the wall hookand poured water into a clay cup [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]