The man laughed scornfully.
“The Christ indeed! How are you to know him?”
“He was born this night, and is now lying in a manger, so we were told; and there is but one place in Bethlehem with mangers.”
“The cave?”
“Yes. Come with us.”
They went through the court-yard without notice, although there were some up even then talking about the wonderful light. The door of the cavern was open. A lantern was burning within, and they entered unceremoniously.
“I give you peace,” the watchman said to Joseph and the Beth Dagonite. “Here are people looking for a child born this night, whom they are to know by finding him in swaddling-clothes and lying in a manger.”
For a moment the face of the stolid Nazarene was moved; turning away, he said, “The child is here.”
They were led to one of the mangers, and there the child was. The lantern was brought, and the shepherds stood by mute. The little one made no sign; it was as others just born.
“Where is the mother?” asked the watchman.