No Woman So Fair by Gilbert Morris Page B

sound that alarmed Abram.
    â€œCome in and let me give you something to eat,” Abram offered, “and perhaps you need a place to stay tonight.”
    The old man straightened up, controlled his coughing, and stared at Abram. “What’s your name?” the old man demanded. His voice was shocking, for it had the strength of a much younger man.
    â€œWhy, my name is Abram. This is my father’s house. His name is Terah.” The old man smiled slightly, and Abram could not fathom what it was about the ancient fellow that troubled him. “Come in,” he repeated. “We’re always glad to welcome a traveler.”
    The old man did not move, however, but stood silently for so long that Abram began to wonder if he was in his proper mind. He seemed to be alert, but he also appeared to be listening to something Abram himself could not hear.
    â€œYou don’t remember me, do you?” the old man finally said.
    â€œNo, sir, I don’t think I do. Have we met?”
    The smile grew more pronounced. “Yes, we have met many times. The last time I saw you, you were very young, and I took you fishing down at the river. You caught a turtle and it frightened you. But we ate him for supper that night.”
    A faint memory began to stir in Abram, and then suddenly he straightened up and gasped with surprise. “Grandfather?”
    â€œYes, I’m your grandfather. Old Nahor come home to die.”
    Abram could not believe his ears, but he had to believe his eyes. The memories were faint, and the family had long ago decided that Nahor had died on one of his journeys. But as Abram stood before him, something in the wise old eyes convinced him, and he stepped forward and put his arms around the old man. “I remember you well!” he cried. “You used to tell me wonderful stories!”
    ****
    When Abram went to fetch his father, Terah did not want to believe that Nahor was out in the courtyard, and he was reluctant to follow Abram. But follow he did, and when Terah saw Nahor for himself, he was stupefied. He spoke to the old man cautiously, trying to convince himself that this was an impostor.
    The old man’s mind, however, was sharp, and he saw Terah’s plight at once. “You think I’ve come home to take over as head of the family, don’t you?” Nahor said.
    This was exactly what Terah had been thinking, but he blustered, “Why, certainly not, Father!”
    Abram was standing beside his grandfather. He almost laughed when he saw how easily the old man read his son.
    Terah’s face could conceal nothing, and now he stammered unconvincingly, “Why…why, I’m happy to see you!”
    â€œWell, you needn’t worry that I’ll usurp your place,” Nahor assured him. “I’ve just come home to die.”
    Terah blinked with shock. “Why, that’s no way to talk!”
    Nahor smiled and shook his head slightly. “All I need is a bed to lie on and some bread once in a while.”
    â€œWe can do better than that, Father,” Terah said. “Come inside. I’ll send for my sons. We’ll have a celebration.”
    Terah scurried off, and Nahor turned to his grandson. “He hasn’t changed much.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œNo, he’s as easy to read as a child.” Nahor stepped closer and peered into Abram’s face. “You’re not like him. You’re more like me.”
    Abram grinned broadly. “That’s what everyone says.”
    â€œDo they, now?” Nahor’s dark eyes danced with amusement. “We’ll have to have some talks, you and I.”
    â€œI’ll look forward to that, Grandfather.”
    ****
    Nahor’s return to Ur made little change in the household. He received the greetings of the family as if he had been only gone a week. For the most part he resisted the urge to tell about his travels, and for several days did little but sleep and