Chapter 14

‘I have been impatient to talk with you, my child,’ he said. ‘You were present, I think, when that strange thing happened to Hannah. I should be glad to hear your own opinion of it. The neighbours believe there was a miracle wrought. What say you, Esther?’

‘Hannah was dying, sir,’ she replied firmly. ‘Everybody knew it. No one who saw her has doubted it.’

‘And you think this Jesus, the Carpenter, healed her? Did you see that? What did he do? What did he say?’

‘I am glad you asked me to tell you, sir!’ Esther’s throaty voice was vibrant with excitement. ‘I saw it. I was the only one he asked to remain in the room when he healed her. And he healed me, too,’ she added impulsively.

‘You!’ exclaimed David. ‘And what ailed you?’ Leaning forward, with knitted brows, he listened while Esther ventured upon her strange story. Presently he broke in to inquire, ‘You say he called you Fara?’

She nodded slowly.

‘He called me Fara, as if he had known me for a long time and was accustomed to addressing me so.’

‘I suppose you think, then, that he knows all about you—and your errand in Galilee.’

Esther’s reply was delayed, while David studied her eyes.

‘I think, sir,’ she murmured, ‘that Jesus knows everything! Everything about me! Everything about everybody!’

‘Proceed, please. I shall not interrupt any more.’

With that encouragement, Esther continued; and, when she had ended, she searched the old lawyer’s narrowed eyes and disappointedly shook her head.

‘I’m afraid you don’t believe me,’ she said, with a sigh.

‘I’m afraid I do, daughter,’ confessed David. ‘My whole mind cries out against any credence in such things, but the evidence here is too strong. Whatever happened to Hannah, it is clear enough that something has happened to you! It is in your eyes, your voice, your smile! You are a new creature! Transformed!’

They had been speaking in Aramaic, Esther having wanted to quote the words of Jesus exactly as they were uttered. She now replied in Greek to David’s unexpected comments on the change that had come over her. The old man watched her mobile lips with candid pleasure. It was not often, in these days, that he heard this musical language, and it not only delighted but amused him to note the new freedom and assurance in the girl’s voice as she went on.

What to do now? That was the question. She confided in him as if he were a parent. Hannah would not need her much longer. She did not want to return to the palace. There was nothing for her to do in Galilee.

‘But your friend Voldi will soon be returning for you,’ suggested David. ‘Perhaps you should go back with him to Arabia.’

Her face clouded.

‘I must not do that to Voldi!’ she declared.

‘Well—it needn’t be settled today,’ said David reassuringly. ‘When in doubt about what to do, it is usually wise to do nothing and wait for more light. Perhaps you should talk with Jesus…And stay where you are until Voldi comes. You have promised him you would do that.’

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