n them, while
Lazarus and the young Rabbi, close as brothers, studied the Law and the
Scriptures together.

Through the year Martha and Joel had been making preparations for their
marriage which was to take place soon after the Passover and in this
wedding Jesus was deeply interested. But the one great event of the
year had been the death and resurrection of Lazarus. This strange
event had not only been the miracle talk of the home, but it had been
widely discussed in Jerusalem.

Passover guests were beginning to throng the highways leading to
Jerusalem, and the home at Bethany was set in order for the coming of
Joseph of Arimathea and Jesus of Galilee, who were again to be guests
of Lazarus. Martha and Joel sat in the big window talking over their
own affairs while Mary and Lazarus stood by the table looking over a
scroll, all four meantime, listening for the approach of their guests.

"Is it not strange," Lazarus said, "that in the name of those who were
stoned yesterday for being prophets, the prophets of to-morrow are
stoned to-day."

"There are no good prophets but dead prophets," Mary answered.

"So it seemeth," and Lazarus turned to the scroll and began to read.
"The ox knoweth--" The words were interrupted by a knocking at the
door which both Mary and Lazarus hastened to answer.

"It is Joseph of Arimathea," said Lazarus.

"Perhaps Jesus cometh first," Mary replied, laughing.

The door was thrown open to Joseph who was greeted warmly, relieved of
his cloak and seated for foot-washing.

"Aye, but we are glad to have thee," Lazarus said, shaking his hand.

"The year hath been long since we saw thee last," Mary said, and Martha
added, "Thou dost honor us to be our Passover guest."

"The blessing of God be on thee, my daughters, and thou, Lazarus. And,
Joel, it seemeth I saw thee here also at the last Passover."

"Yea, indeed," laughed Lazarus. "And art like to find him here next
Passover, eh, Martha?" and his laughter called forth a response of
merriment from the company.

Before the face of Lazarus had yet straightened into its accustomed
good-natured lines, Joseph was looking intently upon it.

"Lazarus, my young friend," he said, stroking his long white beard,
"for one that hath been dead thy voice beareth strange meaning. Yea,
verily, my ears can not believe what my eyes behold. Of much people
have I heard of thy coming from the tomb where thou hast lain four
days. Now would I hear fro