Chapter 13

There had been need of haste. Neighbour women filled the house and their men stood about, in low-voiced groups, under the dripping trees. Everybody made way for Jesus as he entered.

Gershon was ostentatiously packing his bag. He glanced up and frowned darkly when the Nazarene, whom he had often reviled as a conscienceless fraud, appeared in the doorway.

‘And what might you be doing here?’ he demanded savagely.

Rabbi Elimelech moved forward, looking as if he wanted to intervene.

‘I say the woman is dying!’ Gershon faced the Rabbi indignantly. ‘Is she to be tormented by this—this Carpenter?’ He glared scornfully at Jesus, who made no reply.

‘But—if Hannah is dying, friend Gershon,’ ventured Elimelech, ‘she is beyond any harm. I beg you to let this young man see her.’

‘Very well!’ rasped Gershon, making off with his kit. ‘You are all fools!’ he shouted, as he elbowed roughly through the silent neighbours who had congregated in the hallway. ‘Fools!’ he yelled back angrily from the open door. ‘All of you! Fools!’

‘We must make allowances for Gershon, sir,’ explained the Rabbi gently. ‘He is getting old—and he isn’t very well.’

Jesus affectionately laid a hand on the Rabbi’s thin shoulder and smiled into the old man’s eyes.

‘That,’ he said, softly, ‘is the right spirit. You are a blessing to these people, Rabboni!’

Elimelech’s eyes filled as he turned away. The women stared into his contorted face as he passed. He seemed exalted! Something—they knew not what—had happened to their good old Rabbi!

Jesus now quickly and confidently assumed charge of the situation. Motioning the women to withdraw, he was closing the bedroom door. As Esther followed them out, he detained her.

‘You will remain, daughter,’ he said.

For a time he stood gazing down into Hannah’s waxen face, with sorrow and anxiety in his eyes. Then he drew up a chair close beside the bed and sat down. Glancing up at Esther he signed for her to kneel at the bedside; and, after some little hesitation—for she wasn’t sure what was expected of her—she obeyed, resting her elbows on the edge of the bed and taking Hannah’s hand in both of her own.