ng, such as the Romans drive.
Mighty were their necks, and gorgeous were their trappings. Before the
chariot the woman removed her dull coat and gave place to one like her
jewels; and the scarred slave did show her great homage, as if she were
a queen. When she was seated in the chariot he questioned her, and
Mary--my sister Mary--who thinkest thou this gorgeous woman is?"

"Of the many gorgeous ones in Jerusalem, why asketh thou?"

"There is but one such in Jerusalem."

"Who is the woman?"

"The words she did speak, I will tell thee. Then wilt thou know. To
the scarred slave she said, 'Drive thou to the Praetorium. Thy Lord
Pilate awaits thy mistress Claudia.'"

"Thou hast seen Pilate's wife!" and Mary's voice was alive with
interest.

"Yea, the wife of that vile heathen who sticketh spears into
Israelites, as a bold child picks wings from flies--for no reason save
to see them kick."

"And the wife of Pilate hath looked on the face of Jesus. Her ear hath
heard the words of him who speaks as never man hath spoken."

"Yea, and she doth love him."

"Oh, that thou hadst heard his words, Martha."

"Rather that I might possess a chain of beads such as hung from her
shoulder. But look thee down the roadway. There cometh Eli toiling up
the path with no more speed than if he were not already two hours late."

When Martha and Mary entered the house, Eli, loaded with bundles, was
coming in the door from the roadway.

"Thou art much loaded," Lazarus said, looking up.

"And thou art much late," Martha added.

"Behind a tomb black and stale have I tarried."

"Hast thou been near a tomb with thy meat?" Martha asked in alarm.

"I touched not the unclean thing though close was I driven. Yet did my
tongue shake for fear of the plot."

"Plot?" quickly exclaimed Lazarus.

"What plot?" Joseph as quickly asked.

"The tombs throw not shadows while the sun yet hangs high. Methinks
the man hath the plot in his own head," Martha said.

"The sun tarrieth not for the Passover rabble to finish its haggling
over locusts and fish and oil. Ugh! The mob! And as I struggled for
a place at the fish stand the sun passed over the mountain and left the
valley grim. And lo, as I did travel, my fish and my sparrows slipped
from me and to escape the hoofs and dust of a party of pilgrims I took
my way behind an ancient tomb a long time used of sheep, to bind up my
bundles. And no sooner had I sat me on the green than I h