“Well,” said Jonah, hesitating.... “But what would you wear, Mother?” he asked with sudden anxiety. “These old rags.... And who would pay for it? No, it is impossible.” “Do not worry about what I would wear,” returned Deborah sharply. “You will not be ashamed of me. As for who is to pay for it ... you need not worry about that, either, because it will not be you, at all events.” Jonah sat for a long time without speaking. At last he sighed. “Very well,” he said, “if you like.... “I will stay a few days longer.” VI So Jonah did not at once return to the desert. Instead, he said shyly to his mother the next morning: “My cloak is torn almost in two. Is there nothing else for me to wear?” “There is an old coat which belonged to your father,” said Deborah. “But it is brightly colored, and it is too heavy for this mild weather.” “It cannot be helped,” replied Jonah; “if people are going to notice me.” When it was brought to him, he regarded it with a timid expression. Nevertheless, he put it on, giving Deborah his old coat to mend. “You will be overheated,” said Deborah. She added, “Must you go out on such a hot day? You will come home all wet, like a river.” “Mother,” said Jonah earnestly, “I am not a child any longer.” “Was I interfering in your affairs?” cried Deborah. “I simply said it was such a hot day.” Clasping her hands anxiously, she asked, “Shall I put some oil upon your hair before you go out?” For she thought, “Then his head will be cool, at all events.” Without waiting for an answer, she ran to get the oil. Then she combed her son’s beard and poured oil upon his hair. “There,” she said, stepping back to admire him, “now you look like somebody.” As Jonah stalked gloomily out of the house, she called after him tenderly, “Keep out of the sun.” In the village Jonah met Bildad, the water carrier. Balancing his heavy gourds upon his shoulder by means of a wooden yoke and some leather thongs, the old man was going slowly from house to house with his wares. When he saw Jonah, he stopped and said with surprise, “I see that you have a new coat.” “Yes,” said Jonah. Bildad scratched his head. “I am glad to see that you are doing so well in your profession,” he said. And he passed by, carrying his water gourds. Walking hastily through the village, Jonah climbed the hill toward Ahab’s house. The moment he entered the garden he saw Judith. She was seated in the same spot as the day before, and she was twining a wreath of flowers in her hair. “What a surprise,” she exclaimed, “to see you again.” “Yes,” said Jonah. “I was passing by; it occurred to me to stop ... that is, I thought you might be interested to hear that I am going back to the desert again.” Judith’s face remained drowsy and content. “Are you going soon?” she asked, and held up her wreath to admire it. The wide golden sleeves of her robe fell back from her round brown arms; and she smiled dreamily at nothing.