d them for the occasion which he owed
them of overlooking so much fine sport. But they were a scurvy lot,
viler than he had supposed, though he had suspected from the first that
they were nurturing some trick against him. And he searched himself, for
he would willingly give them money to be rid of them. But how much will
they accept? he asked himself, as he searched his pockets ... his money
was gone! Stolen, no doubt, but by whom? By the cockers standing around
him, quarrelling and railing at each other, levelling accusations right
and left--the Heeler wrangling with Lydia, saying it was she that had
asked the young penniless to come with them. A mercy it was that he
didn't call me a ragamuffin, Joseph said to himself. He was not without
some apprehension that they might detain him till a ransom was paid, and
right glad to perceive himself free to go: having gotten his money they
wished to be rid of him quietly; and he too, wishing to avoid attracting
attention, slunk out of Tiberias without laying complaint before the
magistrate.

It was unlikely that his money would be found upon the thieves and his
father would be very angry indeed if he were obliged to go to Tiberias
to bear witness to the truth of his story that his son, while on his way
to his tutor's--Joseph stopped to consider the eventualities, and he
heard in imagination the tale unfolding. Azariah might be called! And if
he were, he would tell he had been kept waiting all day, and the jealous
neighbours would be glad to send round to commiserate with his father.
It seemed to Joseph that he had escaped lightly with the loss of a few
shekels. But what reason should he give for coming home so late? He'd
have to say where he had spent the day. Azariah would tell of his
absence from his lessons. Ah, if he had foreseen all these worries, he
wouldn't have gone to Tiberias.... Should he say he had been out fishing
on the lake? The fishers would not betray him, but they might; and he
could not bring himself to tell his father a lie. So did he argue with
himself as he walked, saying that he had not done worse than--But what
had happened at home? Something must have happened, for the gates were
open. The gate-keeper, where was he? And his wonder increased as he
reached the house, for all the servants seemed to be running to and fro.
The Lord be praised for sending you back to us! they exclaimed. You
thought then that the Lord had taken me from you? Joseph asked, and the