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could you know—good riddance I say.”
    “You are well rid of him. The Holy One, blessed be his name, will bring another suitor.”
    Yet as they spoke words deemed to be a comfort, Mary knew they would return home shaking their heads. No one wanted to marry a young woman afflicted with nightmares and strange seizures.
    On the other hand, Mary was elated. She would not have to marry that pompous young man who undressed her with his eyes. The thought of being married to him had terrified her, and with the respite came another time of reprieve from her physical symptoms.
    When his relief at Asa’s refusal and departure abated, Jared was filled with remorse.
    “Is our only child to remain a virgin the rest of her life?” he cried to Rachel. “Are there to be no grandchildren for our old age?”
    With heavy heart Mary resigned herself to living the rest of her life as an unmarried woman—a disgrace to her parents. If her parents became infirm, would she be able to care for them, needing help herself?

    Jared took himself off to the boatyard to deal with his customers, but couldn’t help wonder what his friends were really thinking. They would never embarrass him by voicing opinions in his presence, and he didn’t want their pity. Day by day as he wrestled with his thoughts, Jared gradually became aware of a new serenity about Mary. She went about her chores with a peaceful spirit. What miracle was this? Had she been healed by HaShem at last? He shook his head in puzzlement.
    To Mary’s delight, Nathan returned, not only to bring the financial scrolls from his father, but to tentatively resume his friendship with her.
    Jared watched their faces one day as they talked and a slow realization began to grow. The warmth between the two young people was almost tangible.
    He called Mary to him after Nathan had gone. “Child, what is this I see between you and Nathan?”
    Mary hung her head but not before he saw the light in her eyes. “He is glad, Abba, that I am not going to marry Asa.”
    “And why is he glad?” Jared reached out with one finger and tipped her face up so she must look at him.
    “He cares for me, Abba.” Her eyes searched his face for his reaction.
    Jared’s eyebrows went up. Why had he not seen this? Had he been so distraught with his own affairs and feelings that this had been going on under his nose?
    “I see,” was all he said, but a plan came to mind. He contemplated his daughter, his eyes narrowed. “Thank you for telling me, daughter, I shall think on this.”
    Mary looked at him strangely, but when he said nothing more, she reluctantly returned to sweeping the courtyard.
    Jared hurried from the house to the shipyard. There was something he must know and right away.
    He found Nathan using a plane on the side of one of their fishing boats to smooth the wood. He wore no shirt and sweat beaded on his bare back. Jared noted the muscles in his arms and smiled to himself. A strong man, a healthy man; how had he not seen what a worthy young man this was?
    Nathan became aware of Jared’s presence and seemed surprised to find his employer studying him. “Is there something I can do for you, sir?”
    “I wish to talk with you, Nathan. Come, sit under that tree with me.” Jared gestured with one arm.
    As they sat in the shade, Jared thought about how he might approach the matter on his heart. Finally, he decided to just speak the truth. “When you were last at our home, I observed you speaking with my daughter. There is something between you?”
    Nathan’s face was guarded. “I confess that I was not unhappy that she is not to marry the cousin from Hebron.”
    Jared leaned forward and repeated the question he’d asked his daughter. “And why is that?”
    Nathan hesitated but evidently decided that he would also be honest. “Because I have always loved Mary.”
    “And why did you not speak to me of this?”
    Nathan waved a hand. “I was about to have my father approach you for Mary’s hand