"Some of the rabbis held that there were two Messiahs," David said.
"Because they knew not how to understand of one the various seemingly contradictory things, which were and are all fulfilled in Jesus."
"Of Nazareth," said David.
"Yes, he lived there; but he was born in the city of David. Come, you do not know him, and it is needful you should. Let us read this first chapter of John all through."
They read slowly, with many interruptions. David had explanations to ask, and then there were prophecies to consult. The boy's eagerness and excitement infected his companions; the reading began to take on a sort of life and death interest, though Mr. Richmond kept it calm, with some difficulty.
His next proposition was, that they should go through the life of Christ regularly; and they began with the first chapters of Luke. Nothing that Matilda had ever known in her life was like the interest of that reading. David was startled, curious, excited, as if he were beginning to find the clue to a mystery; though he did not admit that. On the contrary, he studied every step, would understand every allusion, and verify every reference to the Old Testament scriptures. The boy's cheeks were flushed now, like one in a fever. The hours flew.
"My boy," said Mr. Richmond, laying his hand on David's open book, "we cannot finish what we want to do this evening."
David looked up, pushed his hair off his face, and recollected himself.
"I beg your pardon, sir," he said. "I have taken up a great deal of your time."
"You shall have a great deal more," said Mr. Richmond smiling; "but we had better sleep upon it first. And pray," he added soberly. "Pray, that if this Jesus is indeed He whom you seek, you may know him."