as old and feeble. When Mary saw the litter
she exclaimed that she would not allow her child to lie on so soft a
couch. The boy smiled a little, so that two dimples appeared on his
rosy cheeks, and said:

"Why, mother, do you think I would ride on those cushions? Now, let
the sick slave get in, and I will take his place."

But the leader of the little procession was not agreeable. The boy
could do as he liked, stay, or go with them.

"I shall stay," said Jesus, "and go to Pharaoh when I please." The
litter returned empty to the palace.

The next day the boy made up his mind to go. His parents accompanied
him through the palm-grove to the town. He walked between father and
mother in his humble garb, and Joseph gave him good advice the while.
Mary was silent and invoked the heavenly powers to protect her child.
Only the boy was admitted through the gateway of the palace; father and
mother remained behind and looked fearfully after their Jesus, who
turned round to wave to them. His face was glad, and that comforted
the mother. The father thought it incomprehensible that a child could
so cheerfully and heedlessly part from the only creatures who cared for
him; but he kept his thought to himself.

The boy felt curiosity, satisfaction, and repugnance all at the same
time, when he gave himself into the hands of the servants, who led him
to a refreshing bath, anointed him with sweet-smelling oil, and clad
him in a silken garment. But he desired to learn what life in the
royal palace was like. And gradually its splendour began to enfold
him. The Arabian tales which his father loved to tell him contained
marvels and splendours, but nothing to be compared with the
magnificence and brilliance that now assailed his senses. Marble
staircases as broad as streets, halls as lofty as temples, marble
pillars, brilliantly painted domes. The sun came through the windows
in every colour there is, and was reflected red, blue, green, and gold
by the shining walls. But more fairy-like were the nights, when
thousands of lamps burned in the halls, a forest of candelabra shone
like a conflagration kept within bounds; when the courtiers seemed to
sink into the carpets and divans and silken and down coverlets; when
the sweet-smelling incense rose from the golden censers and intoxicated
the brain; when a hundred servants made ready the banquet of
indescribable luxury, and carried it in silver dishes, alabaster bowls,
and crystal