eep here tonight."

John saw that his father looked graver than usual, but he knew his
duty as a son too well to think of asking any questions; and he
busied himself, for a time, in laying out the figs on trays--knowing
that, otherwise, their own weight would crush the soft fruit before
the morning, and bruise the tender skins.

A quarter of an hour later, the quick footsteps of a donkey were
heard approaching. John ran out and, having saluted the rabbi, held
the animal while his father assisted him to alight and, welcoming
him to his house, led him within. The meal was soon served. It
consisted of fish from the lake, kid's flesh seethed in milk, and
fruit.

Only the men sat down; the rabbi sitting upon Simon's right hand,
John on his left, and Isaac and his son at the other end of the
table. Martha's maids waited upon them, for it was not the custom
for the women to sit down with the men and, although in the country
this usage was not strictly observed, and Martha and little Mary
generally took their meals with Simon and John, they did not do so
if any guest was present.

In honor of the visitor, a white cloth had been laid on the table.
All ate with their fingers; two dishes of each kind being placed on
the table--one at each end. But few words were said during the
meal. After it was concluded, Isaac and his son withdrew and,
presently, Martha and Mary, having taken their meal in the women's
apartments, came into the room. Mary made a little face at John, to
signify her disapproval of the visitor, whose coming would compel
her to keep silent all the evening. But though John smiled, he made
no sign of sympathy for, indeed, he was anxious to hear the news
from without; and doubted not that he should learn much, from the
rabbi.

Solomon Ben Manasseh was a man of considerable influence in
Galilee. He was a tall, stern-looking old man, with bushy black
eyebrows, deep-set eyes, and a long beard of black hair, streaked
with gray. He was said to have acquired much of the learning of the
Gentiles, among whom, at Antioch, he had dwelt for some years; but
it was to his powers as a speaker that he owed his influence. It
was the tongue, in those days, that ruled men; and there were few
who could lash a crowd to fury, or still their wrath when excited,
better than Solomon Ben Manasseh.

For some time they talked upon different subjects: on the corn
harvest and vintage, the probable amount of taxation, the marriage
feast w