Chapter 4

‘They steal. They steal anything, everything, anywhere, everywhere; anything from a horse to a halter; anywhere from a scroll in the Synagogue to a vase in the graveyard. They steal on the farm, in the marketplace, on the highway, at the inn, at the goldsmith’s, at the rag-picker’s, in the gambling-house, and in the Temple. There is no limit to it. They steal from babes and pennies from dead men’s eyes. They steal from bankers and beggars. Where do you live, young woman, that you should be incredulous of theft?’

‘I am from Arabia,’ said Fara.

John chuckled briefly, but without smiling.

‘You must have lived a sheltered life,’ he said dryly. ‘Your people have taken no prizes for honesty. Perhaps you are not very well acquainted with your countrymen. Have you always lived in Arabia? I detect an accent on your tongue, though I must say your Aramaic is correct. How do you happen to speak it? And you look Jewish—as much Jewish as Arabian. Tell me, daughter, why are you wearing a man’s burnous; and why that shorn hair?’

Fara’s knees were giving way now, and she sat down. The prophet seated himself on a small boulder near by. Slowly turning her face toward him, she encountered a searching gaze that compelled frankness.

‘I am on an errand, sir, that could not be safely performed by a young woman. I told you that I am an Arabian because I prefer to think of myself that way; but it is only half true. My mother was an Arabian. My father is a Jew.’

‘Your mother is dead?’

‘Only three days ago.’ Fara turned her eyes toward the valley.

‘And that sent you on your errand, I think; and your errand takes you to Judaea, and your father is a Jew. Perhaps you go to notify him of your mother’s death.’

‘Ye-yes,’ stammered Fara, hoping the answer might suffice.

There was a considerable silence before John spoke.

‘So it is something else besides telling your father. Has he not lived with your mother in Arabia?’

‘Not for many years.’

‘How did they happen to marry?’

‘It’s quite a long story, sir. I have no wish to detain you.’ She looked again into his inquiring eyes. ‘Must I tell you?’ she asked, in a voice that seemed a little frightened.