"But this Jesus—is he an Essene? Hast thou heard aught of his teachings?"
"Yea, Mary. In the Temple doth he tell of a Kingdom where the Law shall be less and justice and liberty more, a Kingdom of Brotherhood which the sword bringeth not but which cometh as spring-time brings a new earth. Wonderful did this teaching sound, and as I did drink it in, turned he his face to me as if my lips had called him. And I did know, even as his eye rested on mine, that I should love him, yea, as if he were a brother. Again did I draw near as he did pass on Solomon's porch, and again did his eyes find my face. Then did I ask what I should do to be his disciple. 'Keep the commandments,' was his answer. 'All these have I kept from my youth up,' I made answer. But it were not enough."
"It should be enough. What more doth the Law require?" Joel asked.
"Yet," observed Mary thoughtfully, "there be no virtue in keeping the Law which bids us not steal, so long as the belly is full of red wine and rich mutton."
"Or in coveting thy neighbor's fat wife when a shapely Martha is promised. Eh, Joel?" Lazarus questioned.
They all laughed. Joel's reply was, "Not virtue, nay. But where is virtue in the hard sayings he did put to Lazarus?"
"A hard saying truly," Lazarus repeated. "He did bid me sell my possessions and give to the poor."
"The Law doth not allow but a certain portion for the poor."
"Thou sayest truly, Mary. Yet him whose disciple I would be, says,
'Give all.'"
"Thy vineyards and wine presses?" and Martha's face was troubled.