“What is the real belief of the Jews and the Roman Catholics about Christ?”
“I—I don’t exactly know,” replied Max hesitatingly; “I was very young when I left home.”
“But you know well enough,” said Mrs Hattingh. “Jan Roster told us all about it in his last sermon: Pontius Pilate and the soldiers were Roman Catholics, and—and—”
“Well, wife, we are waiting.”
“Ach, Schalk, you heard the sermon as well as I. At all events the Jews and the Roman Catholics between them crucified the Lord.”
“I know that as well as you do, woman; but what I asked about was their belief. Oom Dantje van Rooyen says that he heard from the minister that the Jews and the Roman Catholics do not believe quite the same thing.”
“Oh! what should I know about that? But surely” (turning to Max) “you can tell us about your faith?”
Poor Max did not know what to say. Nathan had, over and over again, impressed upon him that, although there was certainly no truth in any religion whatever, he must be sure to keep all the Jewish feasts and observances—with the exception of fasts, which he was to pretend to keep—all the days of his life. He had heard other Jews discussing ritual and religion in the same strain. He wished heartily that he knew the details of Susannah’s faith, so that he might believe what she believed. He replied, lamely enough—
“You must ask my brother about these things.”
“Another thing I should like to know,” said Old Schalk; “that is, why they eat children in the synagogues?”