ify the Lord!" broke the stillness
that had fallen after the words of James. All eyes were turned again
to the woman who had spoken once before.

"He hath put down the mighty from their seats;
And exalted them of low degree:
He hath filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich hath he sent away empty."

As she stood with face aglow and arms extended, a strange pervading
hush filled the room. Her voice, while mellow with sweetness and glad
as a song yet had a depth that betokened mysterious strength.

"Who is this," the _kurios_ asked, "that seeth what is to be while it
is yet forming in the womb of pain? Who is this that shouteth victory
before it hath been brought forth?"

"The woman speaketh of her son who hath come to establish the Kingdom,"
James answered. "And her soul doth greatly magnify the Lord."

"Who is her son?" and there was keen interest in the question.

"A Galilean even as we, and son of a carpenter. But he doth many
mighty works and his heart turneth to the lowly. Jesus his name."

"I would see this Jesus. Where is he?"

"He hath gone apart into a mountain to pray, as is his custom. But
tarry thou among us until he come, for of a truth he speaketh as never
man hath spoken."

"I tarry," answered the _kurios_.

[1] Lord and contract maker of ancient working man's society.

[2] One of several names of ancient working man's society.

CHAPTER IV

IN THE VALLEY OF LILIES

Thanks to the untiring labor of Martha and her slow-moving servant Eli,
the house of her brother Lazarus of Bethany was set in order three days
before the expected arrival of Passover guests. Followed by Eli, who
was girt about with a long towel, Martha made a last survey of the
large and well furnished living-room, looking for a truant speck of
dust. She paused for a moment at a table containing writing materials
and bade the servant wipe it carefully and place it, with a case of
scrolls, at one end of the wide, latticed window-couch, for here on the
comfortable cushions Lazarus spent much time reading. She had just
turned from the window-seat to a watering jar of fresh palm leaves when
from the open way leading into the garden, two maidens entered.

"Martha," the first to enter said, laughing, "my guest Debora from
Capernaum hath already arrived and I have brought her to see Mary's
beds of lilies. Where is Mary? I saw her not in the garden," and she
glanced about the room.

When gre