Yes," said Thomas, "I almost think so, too."

Then Magdalene, heedless of the murmurs of the disciples, knelt down
and anointed Jesus' feet and wiped them with her long black tresses.
Jesus, after a little while, noticing the muttering down the table,
asked, "What are you saying to each other? Why do you condemn that
which is done only from grateful love."

[Illustration: "Knelt down and anointed Jesus' feet."]

The Magdalene knelt back, sheltering herself as it were behind her Lord.

Judas blurted out impetuously his dissatisfaction. "To pour out so
much costly ointment, what wasteful extravagance!"

"Friend Judas," said Jesus, "look at me. Is what is done for me, thy
master, waste?"

Judas said, "I know that thou lovest not useless expense; the ointment
might have been sold and the poor helped with the money!" Hearing
Judas' answer he half turned away and looked wearily upward, folding
his hands.

"Judas," said Jesus somewhat sternly, "hand upon thy heart now. Is it
only pity for the poor which moves thee so much?"

Judas replied, "At least three hundred pence could have been got for
it. What a loss both for the poor and for us."

Then Jesus answered and said, "The poor you have always with you, but
me ye have not always." Then he said, "Let her alone, she has wrought
a good work on me, for in that she has poured out the ointment upon me,
she has anointed me for my burial. Verily I say unto you, wheresoever
the gospel will be preached through the whole world, there shall also
this which she hath done be told for a memorial of her."

He then said to the disciples, "Let us arise"--and then turning to
Simon, his host, he said, "I thank thee, benevolent man, for thy
hospitality, the Father will repay it unto thee."

"Say nothing of thanks, master," said Simon; "I know what I owe to
thee."

Then Jesus arose and said, "It is time to go hence. Farewell all ye
dwellers in this hospitable house. My disciples, follow me."

Peter said unto him, "Lord, wherever thou wilt, only not to Jerusalem."

Jesus answered, "I go where my Father calls me. If it please thee to
remain here, Peter, do so." Then Peter declared, "Lord, where thou
abidest there will I also abide; whither thou goest there go I also."

Jesus said, "Come then."

The disciples arose and clasping their staffs were ready to depart.
Then Jesus turned to Mary Magdalene and Martha and said, "Remain here,
beloved! Once more, fare ye well. De