h.

"Yea, accursed be the poor," said Lazarus. "Yet it seemeth not so much
according to the curse of God as to the greed of man. To the rich
their riches come by inheritance as came mine. Or cometh riches by
great cunning and skill in taking from others."

"As cometh mine," Zador Ben Amon laughed, rubbing his hands and looking
from one to the other for approval. "And even now my palms grow hot
for that which shall come into them from my Temple booths at the
Passover. But how dost thou reason, Lazarus? If there are rich and
mighty must there not of necessity be the poor and weak?"

"Yea. Yet is this according to the Law of Moses? According to the Law
was not grain left in the corners for the gleaners? Was not stealing
and lying forbidden among Israelites? Was usury not forbidden under
great penalty? And was not the year of Jubilee proclaimed? Hath the
Law no meaning?"

"Like fire is the Law, a good servant but a bad master, my friend
Lazarus. But let us not talk of the Law but of the Great Feast.
Gorged with pilgrims from all the earth is Jerusalem and this year's
Temple business will exceed all bounds. Never did I see so many and
strange peoples."

"Even wonder workers--eh, Mary?" Joel said.

Zador Ben Amon looked toward Mary for an answer.

"He speaketh of Jesus of Nazareth, methinks," she replied.

"Who is he?" and he turned to Lazarus.

"A Galilean Rabbi."

"Galilee is not noted for furnishing Rabbis. Hath he been taught in
the Temple?"

"Nay. Yet in the Temple teacheth he such wisdom as hath not before
been taught by any Rabbi."

"And he works wonders," Martha added.

Zador Ben Amon laughed heartily. "Women believe all things," he said.
"There are no wonder workers but sorcerers. Even Eunus, who had the
whole Isle of Sicily bewitched, did spit out fire by first putting fire
in his mouth. So doeth this Jesus his wonders by Beelzebub--if indeed
he doeth them."

As the time for dining drew near, the scent of cooking meat reached the
nostrils of Zador. He sniffed and smiled approval, saying, "The savory
odor of thy well seasoned meat bringeth to mind the meat and wine of
the banquet at which the Roman noblewoman wore the blazing peacock."
Again Martha showed keen interest. "In myrrhine and jeweled vases were
the wines served and the nightingales' tongues on platters of pure
gold," and he watched for the effect of his words.

"Nightingales' tongues!" Mary exclaimed.

"Of a truth