us son of Gamaliel, successor to Jesus son of Damneus; Jesus son of
Sie; Jesus son of Phabet! Be there no end to the Jesus' sons? And now
cometh the worse of them all. Yea, I have heard of him. A wolf in
sheep's clothing--a false prophet is he. Never was he taught in the
Temple school, yet doth he dare within its sacred portals to teach
others. By an evil one is he led."

"Why dost thou say by an evil one?" asked Debora.

"Dost thou, a daughter of Israel, so ask? Aye, is it not evil to speak
against the traditions of the Elders? No worse to blaspheme the Temple
itself! Is not Israel the chosen of God, and hath it not been written
there is no salvation outside Israel? Had there been no Jew the Law
from Sinai had not been given and we too would be unclean as the
Gentiles. What worse could one do than set at naught the traditions of
the Elders? But this is not all. He doth both harvest and winnow on
the Holy Sabbath."

"Harvest and winnow on the Sabbath?" Martha asked in surprise.

"Yea, and this is not all. He is a friend of publicans."

"Publicans? Those vile wretches who filch from the pockets of Israel
to pay for the pageantry of Rome?" It was Anna who questioned.

"Yea, and this is not all. He is also a friend of the defiled
Samaritan, friendly as a brother is he with these heathen--and--and--"
she whispered, "he keepeth company with harlots."

"Harlots!" exclaimed the maidens under their breath.

"Yea--what manner of prophet thinkest thou this be?"

"Hast thou thyself seen the evil things of which thou beareth witness?"
Debora asked of Huldah.

"Nay, but such are the reports."

"Our guest Debora hath both seen the face of him and heard his voice,"
Mary observed.

Huldah laughed. "And what so easy for a false prophet to deceive with
smooth speech and searching eyes, as a maiden's heart? But enough of
such talk as doth vex the Rabbis. See thou my cloth of gold? With my
needle I shall make it gay with crimson pomegranates." Huldah took her
embroidery from her bag, and the young women stood around admiring her
work when voices were heard outside. Martha turned to the lattice
window and looked out.

"More pilgrims are coming. A mother in Israel is to be our guest. She
cometh with a neighbor and leaneth heavily on her staff. Mary--Mary!
It is Elizabeth. Hasten to meet her."

Mary hurried out. When she had gone Huldah asked, "Who is this aged
Elizabeth?"

"Knowest thou not? Sh