s our money. Thief! Scoundrel! If Thou wilt permit,
I'll--"

But Jesus held His peace. And attentively regarding him, Peter suddenly
turned red, and loosed the hand which held the collar, while Judas shyly
rearranged his garment, casting a sidelong glance on Peter, and assuming
the downcast look of a repentant criminal.

"So that's how it's to be," angrily said Peter, as he went out, loudly
slamming the door. They were all dissatisfied, and declared that on no
account would they consort with Judas any longer; but John, after some
consideration, passed through the door, behind which might be heard the
quiet, almost caressing, voice of Jesus. And when in the course of time
he returned, he was pale, and his downcast eyes were red as though with
recent tears.

"The Master says that Judas may take as much money as he pleases." Peter
laughed angrily. John gave him a quick reproachful glance, and suddenly
flushing, and mingling tears with anger, and delight with tears, loudly
exclaimed:

"And no one must reckon how much money Judas receives. He is our
brother, and all the money is as much his as ours: if he wants much
let him take much, without telling any one, or taking counsel with any.
Judas is our brother, and you have grievously insulted him--so says the
Master. Shame on you, brother!"

In the doorway stood Judas, pale and with a distorted smile on his face.
With a light movement John went up to him and kissed him three times.
After him, glancing round at one another, James, Philip and the others
came up shamefacedly; and after each kiss Judas wiped his mouth, but
gave a loud smack as though the sound afforded him pleasure. Peter came
up last.

"We were all stupid, all blind, Judas. He alone sees, He alone is wise.
May I kiss you?"

"Why not? Kiss away!" said Judas as in consent.

Peter kissed him vigorously, and said aloud in his ear--

"But I almost choked you. The others kissed you in the usual way, but I
kissed you on the throat. Did it hurt you?"

"A little."

"I will go and tell Him all. I was angry even with Him," said Peter
sadly, trying noiselessly to open the door.

"And what are you going to do, Thomas?" asked John severely. He it was
who looked after the conduct and the conversation of the disciples.

"I don't know yet. I must consider."

And Thomas thought long, almost the whole day. The disciples had
dispersed to their occupations, and somewhere on the other side of the
wall, Peter was sho