Page:Traditions of Palestine (microform) (IA traditionsofpale00martrich).pdf/134

 but that of the grove which bowed to the night breeze, and no sound but of the gush of waters.

But they neither saw nor hearkened till they had entered the dwelling. The gate opened as soon as a hand was raised to it, for there was none within to guard it. The bleating of a kid which had been nurtured within the court broke upon the silence of the awed multitude, who marvelled to find no man within. The lamp still burned in the upper chamber, and the half-eaten repast was on the board.

“The Nazarenes eat even as we,” said one of the crowd. “Here is no forbidden flesh, nor a great array of feasting.”

“Neither is there an abundance of wine, as at feasts where men love to be drunken,” said another.

A third took up a scroll which was dropped upon a cushion. There were no magical characters, but a portion of the Scriptures, arranged after the manner of the Hebrews.

“It cannot be,” said one of the leaders of the people, “that our approach has disturbed these men; for there has been no time for