despiseth his neighbour: but a man of
understanding holdeth his peace.'"

And he lifted up his hand, hinting thereby at Judas' former
evil-speaking. In a short time all remarked this change in him, and
rejoiced at it: only Jesus looked on him still with the same detached
look, although he gave no direct indication of His dislike. And even
John, for whom Judas now showed a profound reverence, as the beloved
disciple of Jesus, and as his own champion in the matter of the three
denarii, began to treat him somewhat more kindly, and even sometimes
entered into conversation with him.

"What do you think, Judas," said he one day in a condescending manner,
"which of us, Peter or I, will be nearest to Christ in His heavenly
kingdom?"

Judas meditated, and then answered--

"I suppose that you will."

"But Peter thinks that he will," laughed John.

"No! Peter would scatter all the angels with his shout; you have heard
him shout. Of course, he will quarrel with you, and will endeavour to
occupy the first place, as he insists that he, too, loves Jesus. But
he is already advanced in years, and you are young; he is heavy on his
feet, while you run swiftly; you will enter there first with Christ?
Will you not?"

"Yes, I will not leave Jesus," John agreed.

On the same day Simon Peter referred the very same question to Judas.
But fearing that his loud voice would be heard by the others, he led
Judas out to the farthest corner behind the house.

"Well then, what is your opinion about it?" he asked anxiously. "You are
wise; even the Master praises you for your intellect. And you will speak
the truth."

"You, of course," answered Iscariot without hesitation. And Peter
exclaimed with indignation, "I told him so!"

"But, of course, he will try even there to oust you from the first
place."

"Certainly!"

"But what can he do, when you already occupy the place? Won't you be the
first to go there with Jesus? You will not leave Him alone? Has He not
named you the ROCK?"

Peter put his hand on Judas' shoulder, and said with warmth: "I
tell you, Judas, you are the cleverest of us all. But why are you so
sarcastic and malignant? The Master does not like it. Otherwise you
might become the beloved disciple, equally with John. But to you
neither," and Peter lifted his hand threateningly, "will I yield my
place next to Jesus, neither on earth, nor there! Do you hear?"

Thus Judas endeavoured to make himself agreeable to all, but, a