ipped in blood and hung across the sun. Such a
sight in the morning is an evil sign," and her face showed fear.

"I put not faith in signs," Mary replied.

"Since the beginning hath Israel been warned by signs and dreams," and
Martha shook her head in sadness.

"Signs take neither the living nor bring back the dead. Hand me the
pot of herbs and help me here," and Mary turned to the couch.

"Doth he swallow?" Martha inquired anxiously as she held her brother's
head while Mary tried to administer the dose.

"Nay."

"As well. There is no virtue in it. He hath swallowed a water pot
full already. Evil is about. The sky is red."

While the sisters stood about the bed the physician, garbed in a long
coat of brown and striped turban, hurried in with an air of importance.
He was followed by a servant carrying a bundle of herbs, some green
sprigs and several cruises of oil. "What evil thing hath befallen thy
brother since yesternoon?" he asked, going to the couch.

"A strange sleep hath fallen upon him."

The physician turned back his patient's eyelids and looked carefully.
"Evil spirits are about," he announced. "When the medicine I did leave
yesterday drove from his veins the devils of fire, then did demons of
sleep rush in. So doth he sleep."

"Canst thou awaken him?" Mary asked.

"By my rare skill I can. Pour out thine oil," this to the servant,
"and set forth the herbs. Mix thou a bitter potion and I will
administer a prayer." From a wallet the physician took a small paper
which he rolled into a pill between the palms of his hands. The pill
he dipped in a bowl. "This is to dispel evil spirits," he explained.
"Make fast his head while I push the prayer between his lips."

Mary and Martha raised the shoulders of Lazarus, and the physician
tried to force the pill into his throat.

"Even of his mouth have the evil spirits taken possession," he said,
failing to force open the set teeth of the man. "Bring the oil." Then
followed an elaborate anointing while the physician tried to rub in his
prayers. Meantime several neighbors had entered the room and while
Mary watched eagerly for the awakening of her brother, Martha stepped
to the door to tell in anxious whispers of her brother's serious
condition.

"Evil spirits have taken entire possession," the physician told the
sisters when no sign of life responded to the oil bath. "There be yet
one manner in which evil may be driven from thy brother. Wil