Although the subject of the miracle at Cana had been constantly in the mind of Phineas, and often near his lips, he did not speak of it to his host until the evening before his departure.
It was just at the close of the evening meal. Nathan ben Obed rose half-way from his seat in astonishment, then sank back.
"How old a man is this friend of yours?" he asked.
"About thirty, I think," answered Phineas. "He is a little younger than I."
"Where was he born?"
"In Bethlehem, I have heard it said, though his home has always been in Nazareth."
"Strange, strange!" muttered the man, stroking his long white beard thoughtfully.
Joel reached over and touched Phineas on the arm. "Will you not tell Rabbi Nathan about the wonderful star that was seen at that time?" he asked, in a low tone.
"What was that?" asked the old man, arousing from his reverie.
When Phineas had repeated his conversation with the stranger on the day of his journey, Nathan ben Obed exchanged meaning glances with his wife.