nt it talking to shepherds? Was that a sin?
Joseph asked. We can read the Scriptures to-morrow; if the day be
clouded and rain comes, we can read them indoors. If the day be clouded,
Azariah replied smiling. But was not thy life dedicated to Samuel? Thou
hast forgotten him. But the world is God's world. Joseph answered that
he had forgotten his vow, and all that evening, in spite of Azariah's
gentleness with him, he was pursued by the memory of the sin he had
committed. In Samuel's own city he had broken his vow! And Azariah heard
the boy blubbering in the darkness that night.

CHAP. III.

He should not have interrupted the manifestations of joy at his return
with: when may I go to Arimathea again? And his second question was
hardly less indiscreet: why did we leave Arimathea? His father answered:
because it suited us to do so; and Joseph withdrew to Rachel who was
never gruff with him. But despite her bias in favour of all he said and
did she reproved him, saying that he should not ask as soon as he
returned home when he was going away again. I am glad in a way, Granny,
but there's no forest here. Dan left the room, and the boy would tell
no more but burst into tears, asking what he had done to make Father so
angry. Rachel could not tell him with safety, and Joseph, thinking that
perhaps something unpleasant had happened to his father in the forest (a
wolf may have bitten him there), spoke of the high rock on the next
occasion and of the story of Jonathan and David that Azariah had read to
him. You will ask him to come here one night, Father, and translate it
to you? Promise me that you will. But I can read Hebrew, Dan replied,
and there is no reason for those wondering eyes. Thy Granny will tell
thee. But, Father--Joseph stopped suddenly. It had come into his mind to
ask his father how it was that he had never read the story of Jonathan
and David to him, but his interest in the matter dying suddenly, he
said: to-morrow I begin my lessons, and Azariah tells me that I must
have a copy of the Scriptures for my very own use. Now where are thy
thoughts? In a barrel of salt fish? Father, do listen. I'd like to learn
Hebrew from bottom to top and from top to bottom and then sideways, so
as to put the Scribes in Jerusalem to shame when you send me thither for
the Feast of the Passover. And thou'lt mind that my Scriptures be made
by the best Scribe in Galilee and on the best parchment, promise me,
Father!

Dan promi