getting in the vintage of their neighbors; for
each family had its patch of ground, and grew sufficient grapes and
fruits for its own needs. Those in the village brought their grapes
to a vat, which they had in common; the measures of the grapes
being counted as they were put in, and the wine afterwards divided,
in like proportion--for wine, to be good, must be made in
considerable quantities.

And now there was, for a time, little to do on the farm. Simon
superintended the men who were plowing up the corn stubbles, ready
for the sowing in the spring; sometimes putting his hand to the
plow, and driving the oxen. Isaac and his son worked in the
vineyard and garden, near the house; aided to some extent by John
who, however, was not yet called upon to take a man's share in the
work of the farm--he having but lately finished his learning, with
the rabbi, at the school in Hippos. Still, he worked steadily every
morning and, in the afternoon, generally went out on the lake with
the fishermen, with whom he was a great favorite.

This was not to last long for, at seventeen, he was to join his
father, regularly, in the management of the farm and, indeed, the
Rabbi Solomon, who was a frequent guest, was of opinion that Simon
gave the boy too much license; and that he ought, already, to be
doing man's work.

But Simon, when urged by him, said:

"I know that, at his age, I was working hard, rabbi; but the lad
has studied diligently, and I have a good report of him; and I
think it well that, at his age, the bow should be unbent somewhat.

"Besides, who knows what is before us! I will let the lad have as
much pleasure from his life as he can. The storm is approaching;
let him play, while the sun shines."

Chapter 2: A Storm On Galilee.

One day, after the midday meal, John said:

"Mary, Raphael and his brother have taken the big boat, and gone
off with fish to Tiberias; and have told me that I can take the
small boat, if I will. Ask my mother to let you off your task, and
come out with me. It is a fortnight since we had a row on the lake,
together."

"I was beginning to think that you were never going to ask me
again, John; and, only I should punish myself, I would say you nay.
There have you been, going out fishing every afternoon, and leaving
me at home to spin; and it is all the worse because your mother has
said that the time is fast coming when I must give up wandering
about like a child, and must behave mysel