For an instant he was startled; but recovering, he went to Esther, and said, “Peace to thee, sweet Esther—peace; and thou, Simonides”—he looked to the merchant as he spoke—“the blessing of the Lord be thine, if only because thou hast been a good father to the fatherless.”
Esther heard him with downcast face; Simonides answered,
“I repeat the welcome of the good Balthasar, son of Hur—welcome to thy father’s house; and sit, and tell us of thy travels, and of thy work, and of the wonderful Nazarene—who he is, and what. If thou art not at ease here, who shall be? Sit, I pray—there, between us, that we may all hear.”
Esther stepped out quickly and brought a covered stool, and set it for him.
“Thanks,” he said to her, gratefully.
When seated, after some other conversation, he addressed himself to the men.
“I have come to tell you of the Nazarene.”
The two became instantly attentive.
“For many days now I have followed him with such watchfulness as one may give another upon whom he is waiting so anxiously. I have seen him under all circumstances said to be trials and tests of men; and while I am certain he is a man as I am, not less certain am I that he is something more.”
“What more?” asked Simonides.