No Woman So Fair by Gilbert Morris

and she smiled, saying, “It sounds like you have a fine family.”
    â€œI have,” Abram said quickly. “Of course, I’m one of the lesser members.”
    â€œLesser in what way?”
    â€œPretty much every way,” Abram admitted. He smiled lamely and shook his head. “I’m not enough of a businessman to please my father and brothers.”
    Garai, who had been listening, exclaimed at once, “Well, we can change all that, Abram! If you marry Sarai, you and I will be in business together. I can teach you all there is to know about trading up the river.”
    Abram tried not to let his face show his dismay at this comment. He merely smiled as if in agreement and listened as Garai went on talking about the business.
    â€œSarai is always late,” Hanna said petulantly.
    â€œMaybe I’d better send for her again,” Garai said. “You know how women are, Abram.”
    Abram had no chance to reply, for at that moment a woman in a flowing, silky gown entered the room. Abram stood up and his eyes flew open. He had only caught a glimpse of the face of the woman he had shoved off the bridge, but he knew he would never forget it—and there she stood before him.
    As for Sarai, she stared at Abram, shocked beyond belief. She had not forgotten the face of the man who had been so clumsy, and now she took a deep breath, anger racing through her. “What are you doing here?” she demanded.
    Abram could not speak. Garai and the others stared at Sarai without understanding. “What’s wrong, Sarai?” Zaroni said.
    â€œThis is the man that shoved me off into the mud!”
    Abram could feel his whole face and neck turning red as everyone in the room stared at him. “Yes, I’m afraid I am that man,” Abram said meekly. “I’m so sorry.”
    â€œSorry!” Sarai cried. Her eyes were flashing, her fists doubled up. “I won’t have this man in my sight. He’s nothing but a country bumpkin! Get him out of the house, Garai!” She whirled and ran out of the room.
    A dead silence followed, and Abram realized with some relief that his embarrassment might well be his salvation. He waited for Garai to dismiss him so that he could make his apologies and return to his home immediately.
    Garai, however, smiled apologetically and cleared his throat. “My sister is a little excitable at times.”
    â€œThat’s right,” Zaroni put in quickly. “Let me talk to her, Abram. She gets over things quickly.”
    Abram managed a smile, but it came hard. “I’m not sure that you should even try. I don’t blame her. It was an awful thing.”
    Zaroni was greatly pleased by the young man’s humility. She put her hand on his arm and said, “Try to be patient, Abram. She has a good heart.”
    She turned and left the room, and Garai said quickly, “Sit down, Abram. You must eat.”
    But Abram had lost his appetite. He wanted nothing more than to be out of this house and back in the fields with his flocks in Ur. He sat down heavily, hoping that this woman would refuse to forgive him and he would have his wish.

Chapter 4
    Although Abram wanted to leave the house of Garai immediately and return to Ur, it quickly became obvious that his host wanted him to stay for the entire two weeks his parents had arranged for the visit. For almost a week he remained a nervous and uncomfortable guest. He saw Sarai several times but only briefly, for she avoided him whenever possible. She refused to eat meals with the family as long as Abram was there.
    As a result of Sarai’s avoidance, Abram became very well acquainted with Zaroni, Sarai’s mother. Garai was constantly busy with his trading ventures, and Hanna was equally occupied with Eliphaz, who seemed a weak man to Abram, but he said nothing of it to the others.
    Zaroni had made it her business to make Abram feel as comfortable as possible, knowing that he