gnised. "I always said He would work
His miracle when the time came."

"Well, I am full of fears," said Thomas. "They shout far too loudly.
The sounds come from the throat, not from the heart."

"Oh, take yourself off. You're always full of foreboding."

"I understand people a little. Idle townsfolk are easily pleased; they
like to enjoy themselves, and any cause serves their turn."

"Thomas," said Matthew reprovingly, "It is not your humility that makes
you heedless of the honour. It is doubt. See that fat shopkeeper
there who brings more faith out of his throat. Listen! 'Hail to Thee,
Son of David!' he shouts, and is already hoarse through his loud
shrieks of joy."

Thomas did not answer. Stooping down in irritation, he hastened
through the crowd. Cries of welcome filled the whole town, and the
streets along which the procession took its way were like animated palm
groves. All traffic was at a standstill, windows and roofs were filled
with people, all stretching their necks to see the Messiah.

Jesus sat on the animal, both feet on the one side, holding the reins
with His right hand. He looked calmly and earnestly in front of Him,
just as if He was riding through the dust clouds of the wilderness.
When the pinnacles of the royal castle towering above the roofs of the
houses were in front of Him, He turned the animal into a side street,
to the Temple square. Two guards at the entrance to the Temple signed
violently with their arms to the crowd to go away, but the people
remained standing there. The procession stopped, and Jesus got off the
ass.

"He is not going to the palace, but to the Temple?" many asked in
surprise. "To the Temple?"

"To the Rabbis and Pharisees? Then we'll see what we shall see."

CHAPTER XXVII

Jesus, with serious determination, quickly ascended the steps of the
Temple, without even glancing at the shouting people. A part of the
crowd pressed after Him, the rest gradually dispersed. But the shout:
"Praised be He who has come to-day!" never ceased the whole day.

When he entered the forecourt of the Temple and looked in. He stood
still in dismay. It was full of life and movement. Hundreds of people
of all kinds were tumbling over each other's heels, in gay-coloured
coats, in hairy gowns, with tall caps and flat turbans. They were all
offering goods for sale with cries and shrieks; there were spread out
carpets, candlesticks, hanging lamps, pictures of the T