"What is the price of wine in Susa?"
"But here comes Malachi. Let's hear what he has to say. Ezra says he will make a prophet. Why not? Balaam's ass was one."
Malachi did not stop to parley with them, but turned in at the door of Ioiada.
"If he will side with us, we will drive out the governor," said one.
"Or dip him in Hezekiah's Pool," said another.
An hour later Malachi reappeared, and with him Manasseh. The young mob went wild with enthusiasm at the prospective alliance. But Malachi parted with Manasseh at the door.
To the surprise of the crowd the latter addressed them, thanking them for their show of personal friendship, but counselling peace.
"We shall be wiser to-morrow than we are to-day. The interests of young Israel need cooler heads than ours are now. The bigotry of the governor's party cannot last. The tide is strong at the moment—too strong for us to beat back—but it will turn speedily. Then we will be strong with it. One shout for young Israel, then let's go home and wait!"
The shout was given with a will. "Nicaso salutes you and invites you all to the palace of Samaria," cried Manasseh, as he disappeared through the doorway.