"Thy olive orchard?" and Mary too expressed concern.
"Yea, and thy home and garden and fountain and thy chickens and lilies,
Mary," Joel answered quickly.
"An evil spirit doth work in his head," was Martha's observation.
"Why said he this to thee, my brother?" and Mary stood by Lazarus with perplexed face.
"That I should love him more than all these."
"He doth require much love."
"Yea, verily, much love doth he require for much doth he give and everything doth he make of love. Sorrowful I turned away. Yet will I see him again. But, Mary—Martha—look thou at the western sky. Hast thou made ready for our honored guest, Zador Ben Amon, who arriveth shortly? Fortunate is he as those of the House of Annas since with the money-changers hath the High Priest given him a place so that he hath riches more abundant than us all. Since he hath been our guest before, his heart hath become settled on Mary and of her hand hath he spoken to me already."
"And thou wert not slow to say 'yes.'" There was joy in Martha's question, though it was not a question.
"'The heart of a woman should go out to him whose wife she would be; and the heart is not worn on the hand. Tell thy desire to Mary.' This said I to Zador who seeks her hand."
"Listen!" exclaimed Martha.