because a large coward did pluck
the hair of a small child which could do naught but weep. Unafraid
souls my heart loves."

"Ever hath womankind loved bravery," Joseph remarked. "Well, the
Galilean Rabbi is brave, Mary."

"How brave?"

"Brave sufficient to dare the wrath of the High Priest. Is this not
bravery?"

"Rather the act of a fool," Joel answered.

When they had tarried about the table until a late hour, the guests
went to their couches.

"To-morrow is the birthday of Israel," Lazarus said after the door had
closed behind Joel and Joseph. "Now must the house be searched for
leaven that not a speck remain."

Taking up the lamps which were burning low on the table, he fastened
them to long handles. Martha, taking one of them, went to the kitchen,
while Mary and Lazarus made search in the larger room.

"My brother," Mary said when the last cushion had been shaken and the
last corner searched, "on this eve of Israel's birthday I have a
request of thee. Wilt thou be Ahasuerus and hold to me thy golden
scepter?"

"What is the request of thy heart, my sister?"

"My heart is burdened with a desire to meet this unafraid yet tender
and wise man thou dost talk of. I would see Jesus."

"It shall be even so. To our home shall he be bidden. When thou
hearest the silver trumpets blowing in the New Year, remember this is
thy brother's promise, and may joy come to thee with the coming of the
Galilean."

"Thou dost give me joy on this New Year's Eve. A kiss I have for
thee--for pleasant dreams."

"Now am I well paid," laughed Lazarus when his sister kissed him.

"The blessing of God on thee, my brother. Good night."

CHAPTER XI

ON WITH THE DANCE

While Lazarus and Mary were searching the house with their long-handled
lamps that not a speck of leaven should remain to defile the Passover,
a different scene was being enacted in the Palace of Herod for Pilate
and his guests. Earlier in the evening the Procurator had entered his
luxurious apartment and casting aside his purple robe had exclaimed,
"The wrath of Jove on Jerusalem. Save for its size it is not better
than a tomb across Kedron!"

"A tomb?" one of his guests repeated questioningly. "Methinks it is a
mountain of bees swarming and buzzing. Never have I seen such crowds."

"People, yea, _people_. But what are people if they be Jews? The
tombs lack not a plentiful filling of bones and creeping things."

"When thy stomach hat