The domiciliary visits which took place twice a week, and, by special subsequent resolution passed in full Court, on the Sabbath also, were, to begin with, the subject of much covert bitterness.  At first a standing committee was appointed to make these visits, of whom Ithiel was one.  Before two years had gone by, however, much murmuring arose in the community upon this matter.  It was pointed out in language that became vehement—­for an Essene—­that so much power should not be left in the hands of one fixed set of individuals, who might become careless or prejudiced, or, worst of all, neglectful of the welfare of the child who was the guest not of them only, but of the whole order.  It was demanded, therefore, that this committee should change automatically every month, so that all might serve upon it in turn, Ithiel, as the blood-relation of Miriam, remaining its only permanent member.  This proposal was opposed by the committee, but as no one else would vote for them the desired alteration was made.  Further, to be removed temporarily, or for good, from its roster was thenceforth recognised as one of the punishments of the order.

Indeed, the absurdities to which its existence gave rise, especially as the girl grew in years, sweetness and beauty, cannot be numbered.  Thus, every visiting member must wash his whole person and clothe himself in clean garments before he was allowed to approach the child, “lest he should convey to her any sickness, or impure substance, or odour.”  Then there was much trouble because some members were discovered to be ingratiating themselves with Miriam by secretly presenting her with gifts of playthings, some of them of great beauty, which they fashioned from wood, shells, or even hard stones.  Moreover, they purveyed articles of food such as they found the child loved; and this it was that led to their detection, for, having eaten of them, she was ill.  Thereupon Nehushta, enraged, disclosed the whole plot, using the most violent language, and, amidst murmurs of “Shame on them!” designating the offenders by name.  They were removed from their office, and it was decreed that henceforth any gifts made to the child must be offered to her by the committee as a whole, and not by a single individual, and handed over in their name by Ithiel, her uncle.

Once, when she was seven years old, and the idol of every brother among the Essenes, Miriam fell ill with a kind of fever which often strikes children in the neighbourhood of Jericho and the Dead Sea.  Among the brethren were several skilful and famous physicians, who attended her night and day.  But still the fever could not be abated, and at last, with tears, they announced that they feared for the child’s life.  Then indeed there was lamentation among the Essenes.  For three days and three nights did they wrestle in constant prayer to God that she might be spared, many of them touching nothing but water during all that time.  Moreover, they sat about at a distance from her house, praying and seeking tidings.  If it was bad they beat their breasts, if good they gave thanks.  Never was the sickbed of a monarch watched with more care or devotion than that of this little orphan, and never was a recovery—­for at length she did recover—­received with greater thankfulness and joy.