1 “I knew how long it should take Tobias to travel to the town of Rages and back, and I counted each day. But when the time had gone by,
2-3 I became so worried, that at last I wondered out loud, ‘What could be keeping Tobias? Maybe Gabael is dead, and there is no one else to give him the money.’ ”
4 Anna replied, “I'm sure it's my son who is dead!” Then she started weeping and cried out,
5 “I've never known such sorrow! My son made my eyes sparkle. Why did I ever let him go?”
6 “But I kept trying to encourage her by saying, ‘Now my darling, don't cry. There's no need to worry—I'm sure Tobias is all right. After all, the man who went with him is a relative of ours, and he can be trusted. Something unexpected must have delayed them. Tobias will be home soon, so you don't need to worry or even talk about it anymore.’ ”
7 “You're the one who should stop talking!” she answered. “Don't try to hide the truth from me. I know my son is dead.”Each morning Anna hurried out and started watching the road, hoping to see our son, and no one could change her mind. Then at sunset, she would come back inside and weep bitterly all night long, without getting a wink of sleep.Raguel had promised his daughter a wedding celebration of 14 days. And at the end of those two weeks, Tobias went to him and said, “Soon after I arrived here, I told you my father was in bad health. I am sure that by now, both he and my mother must think I am dead and that they will never see me again. So please let me return home.”
8 But Raguel replied, “Stay with us, my son, and I will send someone to tell your father the news about you.”