Chapter 19
by Douglas, Lloyd C.‘You tell him I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘Esther can’t go back in there, the way she feels. And I don’t want to, myself. It’s stifling! It stinks!’
‘That,’ said Gideon reproachfully, ‘is not the way to speak about the House of God.’
‘Forgive me, father,’ said Myra contritely. ‘I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.’
Gideon clumsily patted her arm.
‘It is rather close in there,’ he conceded, as he turned away. ‘Don’t get lost. We will see you at Uncle Boaz’s house.’
‘Your father is so gentle—and kind,’ said Esther.
‘Yes,’ said Myra; ‘when my grandfather isn’t looking, my father can be quite a darling. Sometimes I wish I knew what he really thinks—about our religion.’
They were walking slowly south in the direction of the old Sheep Gate. Although the whole Temple area for many blocks was densely packed, it was so much more quiet here that by comparison the street seemed almost deserted. Esther had recovered from her sudden weakness, but was silent and depressed.
‘Tell me, Esther,’ said Myra confidentially, ‘was it really the bad air in the Temple that affected you—or what my grandfather said about the Carpenter getting into trouble?’
‘It was a shock, Myra. We were all afraid to have him come here. I hope they don’t hurt him.’
‘If he can do miracles, as they say, maybe he can defend himself.’
‘I’m sure he could, if he wanted to; but he seems unconcerned about his own safety. He will go to any lengths to help other people, but—’
‘Perhaps he has left the city,’ thought Myra; but Esther doubted it.
‘He wouldn’t run away,’ she declared.
They were nearing the twin-towered Sheep Gate now. Hard by, at the end of the street, loomed a grimy old edifice, bearing a peculiar star-shaped roof supported by massive stone columns. On all of its five façades it was open, without walls. Esther inquired what it was, and Myra obliged her with an amazing story.
The queer old pavilion sheltered a pool. It was commonly believed that an eccentric angel occasionally touched the water, and whoever dived in immediately was cured of whatever disease he had.