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fine house as this. She could not think what to say. “I must go,” she said.
    Shalmanezer lightly stepped closer and took her arm. “Why work yourself to death? It will be an easy life here. I’ll see that your family is well cared for.”
    Lamile’s eyes glittered and she smiled cruelly, but she said nothing.
    â€œI must go, sir. I thank you for your offer, but I couldn’t live here.” She turned and hurried out.
    ****
    As soon as the door closed, Lamile smiled, “Well, your charm didn’t work this time, did it?”
    Shalmanezer reddened with anger, but then he burst into laughter. “Oh, she will be back.”
    â€œI doubt it. She appears to be meek enough, but I think she has a streak of stubbornness.”
    â€œI can get any woman I decide on. I got you, didn’t I?” he taunted her.
    Lamile stiffened angrily. “You’ll not get this one.”
    â€œYou’re very sure of that, aren’t you? But there are ways.” He ran his long, sensitive fingers over his beard, and his eyes glittered. “Yes, there are ways,” he said. “I will have her here, Lamile. You can count on that!”

Chapter 3
    Shalmanezer kept his word concerning the physician. The primary physician in all of Jericho came to see Oman the day after Rahab’s visit. He prescribed medicine and was a cheerful, good-natured fellow. Before he left he turned to Rahab and winked lewdly. “Well, I’ve done my part. Now it’s your turn.”
    The roly-poly physician left, and Romar, who was holding Oman in her lap, asked Rahab quizzically, “What did he mean by that?”
    Rahab had concocted a story in her mind and said, “Well, I agreed to do some work for Shalmanezer in return for the doctor’s visit.”
    â€œWhat sort of work?”
    â€œHousework, I suppose. I can clean or cook.” Rahab could not bring herself to look directly at Romar as she said this. She felt guilty for deceiving her sister, but it had to be done, and that was all there was to it.
    The next evening when she went to the house of Shalmanezer, Lamile met her. There was a strange smile on the woman’s thin lips, and she said, “Well, you’re back.”
    â€œJust long enough to work off the debt I owe to the master for the physician’s visit.”
    â€œYou aren’t going to join us permanently, then?”
    â€œOh no. I couldn’t do that.”
    â€œYou have something against harlots?”
    The blunt question struck Rahab hard, and she did not know how to answer. Dropping her gaze toward her feet, she shook her head and murmured, “I just want to do housework or cleaning, something like that.”
    â€œVery well. There’s plenty of that to do,” Lamile said. “But you’re a fool not to join us. It’s an easy life here.” When Rahab didn’t answer, she shrugged and said, “I’ll show you your duties.”
    Rahab threw herself into the work, happy that Shalmanezer was out of town on business. She did not think she could face the man again. She was aware that Lamile was watching her carefully as she worked at menial tasks for the next three evenings after her regular job at the weaver’s. As she watched men coming and going for all the young prostitutes under Shalmanezer’s care, she was convinced more than ever that she could never give herself to a life like this. She considered the men despicable, but she kept silent, especially around Lamile.
    On the third evening, Lamile said, “That’s enough. Your debt is paid, and I think you are a fool for working yourself to death when you could have an easy life.”
    Rahab lifted her head and said quietly, “It’s not something I could do.” She turned abruptly and left. It was dark, and she hurried through the streets lit only by dim torchlight. When she entered her house, she stopped dead still, for there was a man she