Chapter 13

‘It’s so cold, sir,’ she said, in a half-whisper.

Jesus took Hannah’s other hand in his and for a long moment there was complete silence.

‘Do you know how to pray, Fara?’ he asked softly.

Startled, she looked up, wide-eyed, into his face; then put her head down on Hannah’s arm.

‘No, sir,’ she murmured in a shaken voice.

‘Do they not pray—in Arabia?’ he asked.

‘Some do, I think,’ she said. ‘We never did—in my home—except Ione.’ She did not explain Ione, implying that Jesus would know. ‘Ione prayed often. She had many Gods.’

‘There is only one God, Fara. Ione prayed for His many benefits thinking that there were as many Gods…Shall I teach you how to pray?’

She nodded her head, without replying.

‘Say, “Our Father.”‘

‘”Our Father,”‘ she mumbled, in a voice that was full of tears.

‘Now, tell Him—in secret—that you love Hannah and want her to recover.’

Fara was crying now. Shaking her head despairingly, she looked up through blinding tears and said thickly: ‘It would do no good, Master; not from me. I am unworthy.’

‘Then—perhaps you had better ask Him, first, to cleanse your heart of evil. You are carrying a great weight, Fara. You too need to be healed.’

Again she looked up into his compassionate eyes.

‘You—you know about it, Master?’

Jesus drew a deep sigh. ‘Ask our Father to set you free, Fara. Then ask Him to help Hannah.’

She buried her face in Hannah’s arm, her body trembling with convulsive sobs. Gradually her weeping ceased. At length Jesus spoke, not in a tone of entreaty but command!

‘Hannah!’ he called. Rising to his feet, and grasping both her hands, he called again: ‘Hannah! Come! Awake!’

With a long, shuddering sigh, Hannah opened her eyes, looked up dazedly into Jesus’ face, smiled, and drifted off to sleep. Fara sat up, staring in open-mouthed amazement.

‘Prepare some porridge for her,’ said Jesus. ‘She will waken again, presently.’ The sweat was dripping from his face and his hands were trembling. As Fara reached the door, he spoke sternly. ‘If you have made a new promise today, see that you keep it! God is not mocked!’

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