In the end, she took more than Deborah with her. Mother insisted on it—it would shame Bethuel’s house if she came with only one servant. Besides, as Mother pointed out, Rebekah needed to have servants in her new home who were loyal only to her. “Any women already there will be loyal to whoever has been ruling there, and they’ll be quick to find fault with you and slow to obey. You need women who need you as much as you need them. The women you take with you from this household will get enormous prestige from being closest to you. Eventually they’ll marry within your husband’s household, and everyone will live together in perfect harmony.”

This last was said with just enough irony for Rebekah to know Mother didn’t think she was fool enough to believe it. Rebekah chose five girls that she liked and who looked eager to be chosen, and as they hurried to say their good-byes and pack their few belongings, Rebekah saw to the loading of the camels. She had chosen five because the women would have to ride, and with three camels fully loaded with their possessions and supplies, there were only seven that would have room for passengers.

Rebekah gave gifts to the mothers of the girls who were coming with her, which did little to make them feel better but at least showed that Rebekah understood that they were making a sacrifice. The girls themselves varied from excitement to be seeing the world to abject homesickness, but Rebekah knew that if any of them was too unhappy she’d find a way to get her home as quickly as possible. Though it wouldn’t be wise to let them know that right now.

Deborah was the only one who really worried Rebekah. The girls would be resilient, and no doubt would enjoy playing the role of confidantes of the lady of the household. They would probably shed their tears of homesickness, but they would also adapt quickly to their new home. Deborah, however, had no concept of taking pride in her closeness to Rebekah. It would be strange to her, and Rebekah did not know what she would do if Deborah were desperately unhappy.

It was Deborah herself who put her at ease. When Rebekah said something about hoping she’d soon get used to her new home, Deborah only laughed. “Silly, I’ve done this before. When I came here. And I’ll be happy for the same reason I was happy here.”

“What reason is that?” asked Rebekah.

“You, silly,” said Deborah. “I have my darling girl.” And with that Deborah walked away in order to submit to the indignities of being put on top of a long-suffering camel.