ting were not good for little lads. I
remember yet his face as he did make answer, 'Woman, know'st thou not
our father David did smite a giant which did torment Jehovah's chosen
ones? Even so did I smite him who was plucking hair from the head of a
feeble child who could do naught but cry out. For this did I send him
over the wall, and no more will he do this evil thing when I am nigh.'"

"Blessings on him," laughed Debora, clapping her hands.

"My heart goeth out to such a lad," Mary said.

"What for?" Huldah asked. "For making bloody another lad's nose?"

"If so be that to bloody a nose is the only way to stay the hand of
oppression."

"And yet another time did I see him," Elizabeth continued. "At a
wedding in Cana, when he had grown to man's estate. Merry were the
guests with feasting and shouting when the wine did fall short. In an
outer room were some firkins which Jesus did order filled with water.
When the water was drawn out, it was wine."

"This is no sign of a prophet," Huldah answered quickly. "Ofttimes
have I with a cup of grape sirup well thickened, made a kid skin of
wine. What sign hath he given of being a prophet that hath not already
been given?"

"From the dungeon my John asked this question," Elizabeth answered
slowly. "After other things did Jesus say, 'Tell John I have come to
bring the gospel to the _poor_.'"

Huldah laughed heartily. Then she said, "Of a surety this is a sign no
prophet hath given. The poor? Who taketh account of the poor?
Poverty is a visitation of Jehovah. Ever have the poor been despised
and forsaken. Cursed be the lot of the poor--yea, thrice cursed!"

"Yea, cursed be the lot of the poor. Even was this the lot of Jesus of
Galilee. Oft was his food but dried locusts. Oft bore his thin
garments many patches. Oft was a heavy yoke put on the burden of his
childish shoulders. For this pitieth he the poor."

"Locusts for the belly; patches for the back; a yoke for the shoulders!
Shame on Israel that of this sort it would call a king--even from
Galilee where women labor in the field and men like cattle toil!" and
Huldah's lip curled with scorn.

"The toiler toileth that Herod may make great banquets. Pilate doth
ride in a golden chariot and Caesar feed men to tigers. When cometh
the King of the Jews, such will be done away with, for again will
slaves be set free and the Year of Jubilee proclaimed."

"A king must be a King--not a herder of sheep or