"What is it, my uncle?" asked Miriam running to him.
"Only this, child; the noble Roman captain, Marcus, is to stay in the
guest-house during his visit to us, so do not be frightened if you hear
or see men moving about in this garden--If, indeed, Romans care to walk
in gardens. I am to bide here also, to play host to him and see that he
lacks nothing. Also I do not think that he will give you any trouble,
since, for a Roman, he seems both courteous and kindly."
"I am not afraid, my uncle," said Miriam; "indeed," she added, blushing
a little in spite of herself, "Nehushta and I have already become
acquainted with this captain"; and she told him of their meeting beyond
the village.
"Nehushta, Nehushta," said Ithiel reprovingly, "have I not said to you
that you should not walk so far afield without some of the brethren as
an escort? You might, perchance, have met thieves, or drunken men."
"My lady wished to gather some flowers she sought," answered Nehushta,
"as she has done without harm for many a year; and being armed, I did
not fear thieves, if such men are to be found where all are poor."
"Well, well, as it chances, no harm has happened; but do not go out
unattended again, lest the soldiers should not be so courteous as their
captain.
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