Exodus - Leon Uris [223]
They opened the gate and walked back toward the patio.
“He looks exhausted.”
“I think he looks fine,” Sutherland said, “for a man who works a hundred and ten hours a week.”
“I’ve never seen such dedication ... or would you call it fanaticism? I was surprised to see him here, Bruce. I didn’t know you were mixed up in this business.”
Sutherland stuffed a pipe full of tobacco. “I’m not really actively engaged. The Haganah came to me and asked me to make an appraisal of the Arab armies’ strength outside Palestine. They simply want a professional, nonpartisan point of view. See here, Kitty, don’t you think it is time you became honest with yourself in this matter?”
“I told you I’m not going to be partial to either side.”
“Kitty, I’m afraid you’re acting like an ostrich. You’re sitting in the middle of a battlefield and saying ‘Don’t hit my house, my blinds are drawn.’ ”
“I’m getting out, Bruce.”
“Then you’d better do it quickly. If you believe you can stay on much longer the way you have then you are living in a fool’s paradise.”
“I can’t bring myself to it just yet. I must have a little more time until Karen has recovered from this.”
“And is that the only reason?”
Kitty shook her head. “I guess I’m afraid of a showdown. There are times when I am sure I have beaten this thing of her and Palestine—and other times, like right now, I’m terrified of putting it to a test.”
From Sutherland’s villa before dinner they could see the enormous full moon hanging over the city.
“ ‘Three great gifts hath the Lord granted Israel, but everyone of them will be won by suffering. One of them is the Land of Israel,’ ” Sutherland said. “Those are the words of Bar Yohai two thousand years ago. I would say he was a wise man.”
“Speaking of wise men, I am going to the Sea of Galilee tomorrow. Have you been there yet, Kitty?” Ari asked.
“No, I’m afraid my travel has been rather restricted.”
“You should see it for sure. You’d better go soon. It will be too hot in a few weeks.”
“Why don’t you take her?” Karen said quickly.
There was an embarrassed silence.
“That ... that’s really a good idea,” Ari said. “I could work my schedule around to take a few days off. Why don’t we all go, the four of us?”
“I don’t care to,” Karen said. “I’ve hiked there twice already with the Gadna.”
Bruce Sutherland picked up Karen’s cue. “Not me, old chap. I’ve seen the lake a dozen times.”
“Why don’t you go with Ari?” Karen said.
“I think I’d better stay here with you,” Kitty answered.
“Nonsense,” Sutherland pressed. “Karen and I will get on just fine by ourselves. As a matter of fact it will be a pleasure to get rid of you for a few days, not to mention the fact that Ari looks as though he could stand a bit of a rest.”
Kitty laughed. “Ari, I smell an underhanded plot. It appears we have a pair of matchmakers trying to make a shiddoch.”
“Listen to her!” Karen cried in excitement.
“Shucks, I’m just a sabra at heart. It looks as though you’re trapped, Ari.”
“That suits me fine,” he said.
Chapter Ten
EARLY THE NEXT MORNING Ari and Kitty drove to the Sea of Galilee. They entered the Genossar Valley which ran along its northern shores. Across the lake the browned-out hills of Syria loomed over this low point on the earth and the warm, sultry air hung still.
This is God’s own sea, Kitty thought. Once again she was alone with Ari Ben Canaan and once again she felt the timelessness of the land close in on her as she had felt it in the Judean hills. Why was she more affected when she was with Ari, she wondered?
At the edge of the sea he took her to the ruins of the synagogue of Capernaum. Here, Jesus walked and taught and healed. Words came to Kitty’s mind that she thought she had forgotten. Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee and saw two brethren, Simon called Peter and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea ... And they went into Capernaum and straight away on the Sabbath He entered into the synagogue and taught.
It was as though He had never left. On the water’s edge fishermen cast their nets