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Simon had the appearance of one conscious of and strong in his own rectitude, while Reulah seemed humbler and more effaced. Otherwise there was not a pin to choose between them. To Simon’s face had come an expression of perplexity in which there was zeal. “I was thinking, Reulah,” he announced, “of the rabbi who is to break bread with us to-day. His teaching does not comfort me.”
But this woman whom you despise has not ceased to embrace them. She has washed them with her tears, anointed them with nard, and dried them with her hair. Her sins, it may be, are many, but, Simon, they are forgiven——” Simon, Reulah, the others, muttered querulously. To forgive sins was indeed an attribute which no one, save the Eternal, could arrogate to himself. “—for she has loved much.”
Preceded by their host, Jesus and Judas found places near together, and, the usual ablutions performed, the customary prayers recited, lay, the upper part of the body supported by the left arm, the head raised, the limbs outstretched. On the stools were dishes of stewed lentils, milk, and cakes of mashed locusts. Reulah ate with the tips of his lips, greedily, like a goat.
The latter bowed constrainedly. “Master,” he said, “we awaited you.” At this his friends retreated into the little room. Reulah reached the middle seat of the central mat first and held it, his nostrils quivering at the envy of the others.
Moses had the son of Shelomith stoned to death for gathering sticks on it. Shammai occupied six days of the week in thinking how he could best observe it. It is unlawful to wear a false tooth on the Sabbath, and if a tooth ache it is unlawful to rinse the mouth with vinegar.” “Yet,” objected Reulah, “it is lawful to hold the vinegar in the mouth provided you swallow it afterward.”
“Have you heard,” he exclaimed to the others—“have you heard that the Nazarene whom I invited here, and who pretends to be a prophet, allowed his followers to pluck corn on the Sabbath, to thresh it even, and defended and approved their violation of the Law? Have you heard it? Is it true?” Reulah quaked as one stricken by palsy. “On the Sabbath!” he moaned. “On the Sabbath!
“Reulah!” he exclaimed, “the Lord be with you.” And Reulah answering, as etiquette required, “Unto you be peace, and to your house be peace, and unto all you have be peace,” the two friends clasped hands raised them as though to kiss them, then each withdrawing kissed his own hand, and struck it on his forehead. Singularly enough, host and guest looked much alike.
And Simon looked at his friend as who should say: What is there wanting in me? “If I may be taught another duty I will observe it,” said Reulah, sweetly. At this evidence of meekness Simon grunted. Two other guests were approaching. On the edges of their tallîth were tassels made of four threads which had been drawn through an eyelet and doubled to make eight.
And turning again to Mary, who still crouched at his side, he added: “Your sins are forgiven. Go now, and in peace.” But the fierce surprise of the Pharisees was not to be shocked into silence. Reulah showed his teeth; they were pointed and treacherous as a jackal’s. Simon loudly asserted disapproval and wonder too. “I am amazed——” he began.
Reulah was unlatching his shoes. “Nor me,” he interjected. “On questions of purity and impurity he seems unscrupulously negligent. I have heard that he is a glutton and a wine-bibber. I have heard that he despises the washing of the hands.” “Whoso does,” Reulah threw back, “will be rooted out of the world.” Simon nodded; a smile of protracted amiability hovered in the corners of his mouth.
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