“It is made after the best conjectural maps, based on actual visits to the city as it now exists.”
“I fancy we have had enough of Jerusalem,” she said, “considering we are not descended from the Jews. There was nothing first-rate about the place, or people, after all—as there was about Athens, Rome, Alexandria, and other old cities.”
“But my dear girl, consider what it is to us!”
She was silent, for she was easily repressed; and then perceived behind the group of children clustered round the model a young man in a white flannel jacket, his form being bent so low in his intent inspection of the Valley of Jehoshaphat that his face was almost hidden from view by the Mount of Olives. “Look at your cousin Jude,” continued the schoolmaster. “He doesn’t think we have had enough of Jerusalem!”
“Ah—I didn’t see him!” she cried in her quick, light voice. “Jude—how seriously you are going into it!”
Jude started up from his reverie, and saw her. “Oh—Sue!” he said, with a glad flush of embarrassment. “These are your school-children, of course! I saw that schools were admitted in the afternoons, and thought you might come; but I got so deeply interested that I didn’t remember where I was. How it carries one back, doesn’t it! I could examine it for hours, but I have only a few minutes, unfortunately; for I am in the middle of a job out here.”
“Your cousin is so terribly clever that she criticizes it unmercifully,” said Phillotson, with good-humoured satire. “She is quite sceptical as to its correctness.”
“No, Mr. Phillotson, I am not—altogether! I hate to be what is called a clever girl—there are too many of that sort now!” answered Sue sensitively. “I only meant—I don’t know what I meant—except that it was what you don’t understand!”
“I know your meaning,” said Jude ardently (although he did not). “And I think you are quite right.”
“That’s a good Jude—I know you believe in me!” She impulsively seized his hand, and leaving a reproachful look on the schoolmaster turned away to Jude, her voice revealing a tremor which she herself felt to be absurdly uncalled for by sarcasm so gentle. She had not the least conception how the hearts of the twain went out to her at this momentary revelation of feeling, and what a complication she was building up thereby in the futures of both.