So the story originated with Ishmael. Of course it was not to be believed. Ordinarily, Rebekah would keep the peace by seeming to agree with her guests and keeping her own opinion to herself—but today that would not serve her purpose. “There you are,” said Rebekah. “Just one more example of the lies Ishmael tells in order to make it seem that Abraham was wrong to choose Isaac over him.”

“Have you ever met the old man?” asked Ethah.

“No,” said Rebekah.

“Well, I have, and I tell you that he’s a bloody-handed old hypocrite, who pretends to hear from his god, but he’s just using that lie to get people to do what he wants.”

“You have met Abraham,” said Rebekah with a smile, “and I have met you.”

The words hung there, as each of them understood the unspoken completion of the thought—that having met Ethah, Rebekah chose to believe in Abraham.

“So this is the woman who wants to be the bride of my grandson! A girl who insults her betters to their faces!”

“But I do not want to be the bride of your grandson,” said Rebekah. “Nor has anyone asked me to be his bride.”

“Don’t pretend to be such a fool as not to know why we are here!” cried the old woman.

That was when Akyas finally spoke. Or, rather, laughed—a low throaty chuckle that silenced everyone until she reached over and patted Rebekah on the knee. The touch chilled her. So did the laugh.

“Let us share in the jest,” said “Mother.”

“Of course Rebekah knows,” said Akyas. “She is acting this way because she wants us to hate her. If we take an ill report to Ezbaal, and he withdraws his offer, then she never has to have an argument with her father over the question of marriage.”

“Do you mean this girl has already made up her mind not to marry my grandson, without even having met him?”

“Ezbaal is twice her age,” said Akyas. “Even though we understand his worth as a husband, who could expect a child of this age to know what a husband looks like? She dreams of dashing young boys. Probably she already has her eye on some completely unsuitable shepherd. Girls this age always do.”

Rebekah almost spoke out angrily to deny this, but realized in time that, just as she had been playing a game with them, Akyas was playing a game with her. So she said nothing and did her best to keep her face a blank.

“See?” said Akyas. “She has control of herself—she wants to answer, but says nothing.”

“I think you’re putting too good a face on her,” said the grandmother. “You’re so eager for this match that you can’t possibly see anything but virtue in the girl.”