He supposed that her tongue was paralyzed by maidenly shame at the first token of favor she had bestowed upon a man.

But when at his last words, designating himself as the true messenger of God, she shook her head disapprovingly, he burst forth again, almost incapable of self-control in his sore disappointment: "So you believe that the Lord has protected me by a miracle from the wrath of the mightiest sovereign, and permitted me to obtain from his powerful hand favors for my people, such as the stronger never grant to the weaker, simply to trifle with the joyous confidence of a man whom he Himself summoned to serve Him." Miriam, struggling to force back her tears, answered in a hollow tone: "The stronger to the weaker! If that is your opinion, you compel me to ask, in the words of your own father: 'Who is the more powerful, the Lord our God or the weakling on the throne, whose first-born son withered like grass at a sign from the Most High.

Oh, Hosea! Hosea!'" "Joshua!" he interrupted fiercely.

"Do you grudge me even the name your God bestowed?
I relied upon His help when I entered the palace of the mighty king.

I sought under God's guidance rescue and salvation for the people, and I found them.