“Be silent, Oonah,” said Felicia, stamping her small foot. “I will explain. I was trying to amuse myself in the gardens, as usual, with this foolish Oonah,” she went on rapidly, “and I heard some one call. It was this boy. That ugly, meddlesome Marcus had shut [pg 111]him into the cellar without food or drink. He has done nothing at all, and more than that he is the servant of a King. I wished to give him my bracelet and let him go. But Oonah disputed the matter with me, as I have forbidden her to do. May I not do as I will with my own?”
“Stay, my child, I will call Marcus,” said the lady, smiling. “He will explain.”
“Nay, he shall not interfere,” cried the spoiled child. “The boy hath amused me, and Marcus shall not have him. Heigho! this Jerusalem is so dull. I am weary of it.” The child threw back her head with an exaggerated gesture of lassitude which brought another smile to the lady’s lips.
“How hath the boy amused thee, little one?” she asked languidly. “If there is [pg 112]anything diverting about this place I would fain hear of it.”
“The boy was blind, mother, and the King, his Master, touched his eyes and they became bright, as thou seest them. Is not that an amusing story?”
“What King in Jerusalem can heal blind eyes?” asked the lady, turning with some curiosity to Tor.
“His name is Jesus,” said Tor simply.
The lady drew her delicate brows together. “I have heard of the man,” she said coldly. “He is arousing sedition among the turbulent Jews, as hath many a one before him. He will shortly be dealt with after his kind, I doubt not.”
“He will not be hurt,” said Tor positively. “My Father will not permit anything to befall him.”
“Thy Father?” repeated the lady. “And who, pray, is thy Father?”