Before
he could speak again Benoni commanded the company to be seated, whereon
Miriam took her accustomed place as mistress of the house.
To her surprise Caleb seated himself beside her on the couch that should
have been reserved for the oldest guest, who for some moments was left
a wanderer and wrathful, till Benoni, seeing what had passed, called him
to his side. Then, golden vessels of scented water having been handed
by slaves to each guest in turn, the feast began. As Miriam was about to
dip her fingers in the water she remembered the ring upon her left hand
and turned the bezel inwards. Caleb noted the action, but said nothing.
"Whence come you, Caleb?" she asked.
"From the wars, Miriam. We have thrown down the gate to Rome, and she
has picked it up."
She looked at him inquiringly and asked, "Was it wise?"
"Who can tell?" he answered. "At least it is done. For my part I
hesitated long, but your grandfather won me over, so now I must follow
my fate."
Then he began to tell her of the taking of Masada and of the bloody
struggles of the factions in Jerusalem.
After this he spoke of the Essenes, who still occupied their village,
though in fear, for all about them was much fighting; and of their
childish days together--talk which pleased her greatly.
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