Page:Ben-Hur a tale of the Christ.djvu/504

Rh &quot;The Nazarene?&quot;

&quot;The Messiah,&quot; he said.

&quot;Is it true that he cometh to the city to-day?&quot;

&quot;He is now at Bethphage.&quot;

&quot;On what road, master?&quot;

&quot;This one.&quot;

She clasped her hands, and looked up thankfully.

&quot;For whom takest thou him?&quot; the man asked, with pity.

&quot;The Son of God,&quot; she replied.

&quot;Stay thou here then; or, as there is a multitude with him, take thy stand by the rock yonder, the white one under the tree; and as he goeth by fail not to call to him; call, and fear not. If thy faith but equal thy knowledge, he will hear thee though all the heavens thunder. I go to tell Israel, assembled in and about the city, that he is at hand, and to make ready to receive him. Peace to thee and thine, woman.&quot;

The stranger moved on.

&quot;Did you hear, Tirzah? Did you hear? The Nazarene is on the road, on this one, and he will hear us. Once more, my child—oh, only once! and let us to the rock. It is but a step.&quot;

Thus encouraged Tirzah took Amrah's hand and arose; but as they were going, Amrah said, &quot;Stay; the man is returning.&quot; And they waited for him.

&quot;I pray your grace, woman,&quot; he said, upon overtaking them. &quot;Remembering that the sun will be hot before the Nazarene arrives, and that the city is nearby to give me refreshment should I need it, I thought this water would do thee better than it will me. Take it and be of good cheer. Call to him as he passes.&quot;

He followed the words by offering her a gourd full of water, such as foot-travellers sometimes carried with them in their journeys across the hills; and instead of placing the gift on the ground for her to take up when he was at a safe distance, he gave it into her hand.

&quot;Art thou a Jew?&quot; she asked, surprised.

&quot;I am that, and better; I am a disciple of the Christ who teacheth daily by word and example this thing which