"I see my father coming, and another man," cried the boy. "I'm going to meet them."
They all hastened to the door, just as the tired, dusty travellers reached it.
"Peace be to this house, and all who dwell therein," said the stranger, before Phineas could give his wife and friends a warmer greeting.
"We went first to your father's house, but, finding no one at home, came here," said Phineas.
"Come in!" insisted Martha. "You look sorely in need of rest and refreshment."
But they had a message to deliver before they could be persuaded to eat or wash.
"The Master is coming," said Phineas. "He has sent out seventy of His followers, to go by twos into every town, and herald His approach, and proclaim that the day of the Lord is at hand. We have gone even into Samaria to carry the tidings there."
"At last, at last!" cried Mary, clasping her hands. "Oh, to think that I have lived to see this day of Israel's glory!"
"Tell us what the Master has been doing," urged Abigail, after the men had been refreshed by food and water.