He expected her to ask him if Cleophas had come to warn him that inquiries were on foot regarding the disappearance of the body of one of the crucified, but she asked no questions, and he knew not whether she refrained from discretion or because her interest in things was dying.  Not dying but dead, he said to himself as he scanned the years that her face and figure manifested, and judged them to be eighty.

Now Esora, I’ll go and lie down for a little while, and lest I should oversleep myself I’ll tell the girl to call me.  But how shall I recompense thee for this care, Esora?  I am too old, Master, to hope for anything but your pleasure, she answered, and when he returned she told him that Jesus was fallen into another swoon, and they began talking of the sick man.  His mind wanders up and down Galilee, she said.  And now I’ll leave you to him.  I’ve that girl on my mind.  And while Jesus slept, Joseph pondered on the extraordinary adventure that he found himself on, giving thanks to God for having chosen him as the humble instrument of his will.

CHAP.  XXI.

It was after she had persuaded him to take a little soup, which he did with some show of appetite, that Esora began to think she might save him:  if his strength does not die away, she said.  But will it?  Joseph inquired.  Not if he continues to take food, she replied; and two hours later she returned to the bedside to feed him again, and for a few seconds he was roused from his lethargy; but it was not till the seventh day that his eyes seemed to ask:  who art thou, and who am I?  And how came I hither?  Thou’rt Jesus of Nazareth, and I am Joseph of Arimathea, whom thou knewest in Galilee, and it was I that brought thee hither, but more than that I dare not tell lest too much story should fatigue thy brain.  I do not remember coming here.  Where am I?  Is this a holy place?  Was a prophet ever taken away to heaven from here?  Afraid to perplex the sick man, Joseph answered that he never heard that anything of the sort had happened lately.  But thou canst tell me, Jesus continued, why thou’rt here?  Thou’rt the rich man’s son.  Ah, yes, and my sorrow for some wrong done to thee brought thee hither.  His eyelids fell over his eyes, and a few minutes afterwards he opened them, and after looking at Joseph repeated:  my sorrow brought thee here; and still in doubt as to what answer he should make, Joseph asked him if he were glad he was by him.  Very glad, he said, and strove to take Joseph’s hand.  But my hand pains me, and the other hand likewise; my feet too; my forehead; my back; I am all pain.  Thou must have patience, Esora broke in, and the pain will pass away.  Who is that woman?  A leper, or one suffering from a flux of blood?  Tell her I cannot impose my hands and cast out the wicked demon that afflicts her.  He mustn’t be allowed to talk, Esora said; he must rest.  And on these words he seemed to sink into a lethargy.  Has he fallen asleep again?  It is sleep or lethargy, she answered, and they went to the door of the cottage, and, leaning against the lintels, stood balancing the chances of the sick man’s recovery.