Chapter 5

‘We do not see many Idumeans up here,’ said Hannah. ‘In fact, I never saw one before.’

Joe sighed deeply, but had nothing to say about Idumea.

‘You would probably enjoy a bath,’ said Hannah.

‘Ohhh!’ breathed the dirty boy. ‘Would I!’

‘Then—come with me.’ Hannah rose and led the way into the cool, well-furnished house. ‘That bedroom straight ahead of you, Joe. I shall bring you a tub of water. You will find towels in the room.’

‘Please let me do that!’ insisted Joe. ‘Show me where it is—and I will help myself.’

Hannah darted an inquiring glance into the waif’s eyes. She had not expected any graciousness on the part of this young vagabond. Showing him the large wooden tub in the store-room off the kitchen, and pointing to the cistern, she returned to her leaf-raking. Presently she retraced her steps and tapped at the bedroom door.

‘If you will hand me your soiled clothes, I will wash them, and hang them out in the sun to dry.’

The splashing ceased and there was quite an interval of silence. At length the boy made a flustered reply.

‘Oh—but I didn’t expect you to do that!’

‘Surely you are not intending to put those dirty garments on again?’ Hannah’s voice rose in indignation. ‘They have got to be cleaned—for our sake if not yours! Open that door now—a little way—and hand them to me!’

After some silence and delay, the door was reluctantly opened wide enough to accommodate a small, brown, wet hand holding a shabby jacket and a pair of coarse trousers, clothing worn only by the poorest of peasants. Hannah took them gingerly with her finger-tips and made a wry face.

‘Didn’t you have anything on under these dreadful rags?’ she inquired.

‘Y-yes,’ stammered Joe; ‘but, please, I can wash them myself.’

‘Don’t be foolish!’ snapped Hannah. ‘I won’t have those filthy things in my house—not another minute! Let me have them!’ And when there was no immediate response, she called sternly, ‘I’m waiting!’

Again the door opened slightly, grudgingly, and the damp hand delivered two badly rumpled under-garments which Hannah grabbed impatiently. Averting her face, she carried them to the back door and pitched them out on the grass. She was more than disgusted with the task she had set for herself. She had been foolish to take this dirty tramp into her house. Simon had no right to ask her to do it.