"It is not necessary to prepare immediately," answered Benjamin, "since it is several months before the Annis will sail."
"True; I only meant that you should be in readiness when the ship sails. It will be necessary for you still to keep the matter secret while you continue to work for Keimer."
Keimer, for whom Benjamin worked, was a singular man in some respects, and liked to draw him into discussions upon religious subjects. At one time he thought seriously of originating a new sect, and proposed to Benjamin to join him, as his masterly powers of argumentation would confound opponents. He wore his beard long, because it is somewhere said in the Mosaic Law, "Thou shalt not mar the corners of thy beard." Also, he kept the seventh, instead of the first day of the week, as a Sabbath. Benjamin opposed him on these points, and their discussions were frequent and warm. Keimer often exhorted him to embrace his own peculiar views on these subjects. Finally, Benjamin replied, "I will do it, provided you will join me in not eating animal food, and I will adhere to them as long as you will stick to a vegetable diet."
Benjamin was here aiming at some diversion, since Keimer was a great eater, and thought much of a savoury dish. Benjamin wanted to starve him a little, as he thought some of his preaching and practice did not correspond.
"I should die," said Keimer, "if I adopt such a diet; my constitution will not bear it."
"Nonsense!" answered Benjamin. "You will be better than you are now. So much animal food is bad for any one."
"What is there left to eat when meat is taken away?" inquired Keimer. "Little or nothing, I should think."
"I will pledge myself to furnish recipes for forty palatable dishes," answered Benjamin, "and not one of them shall smell of the flesh-pots of Egypt."
"Who will prepare them? I am sure no woman in this town can do it."
"Each dish is so simple that any woman can easily prepare it," added Benjamin.