out and convince men naturally, without suspicion that we are attempting to deceive them with testimony which their hearts are already hardened against.  This answer, which showed a knowledge of men that Joseph did not know he possessed, satisfied both Cleophas and Khuza, and perceiving that they were detaining Joseph they rose to go.  On the way to the gate Joseph’s words lighted up in their minds:  he said it would be not well for him to go down to Jerusalem and proclaim his belief in the resurrection; therefore he believed in the resurrection, and, unable to restrain his curiosity, Khuza besought him to answer if Jesus ever said that it would be his corruptible body or a spiritual body (a sort of spirit of sense) that would ascend.  It could not be the fleshy body which eats and drinks and passes soil and water, for unless there be in heaven corners where one can loosen one’s belt the body would be gravely incommoded; and he began to argue, placing his foot so that Joseph could not close the gate, saying that if the corruptible body had not ascended into heaven it must be upon earth.  But where—­

Joseph’s cheek paled, and Cleophas, noticing the pallor and interpreting it to mean Joseph’s anger against his friend for his insistence in putting questions which Joseph could not answer—­for had he not rolled up the stone of the sepulchre and sealed it and gone his way?—­took his friend by the arm and said:  we must leave Joseph of Arimathea some time to attend to his business.  We are detaining him.  Come, Khuza, we are trespassing on his time.  Joseph smiled in acquiescence; but Khuza, who was still anxious to learn how many Roman soldiers equalled one angel, hung on until Joseph’s patience ran dry.  At last Cleophas got him away, and no sooner were their backs turned than Joseph forgot them completely as if they had never been:  for Esora had said that she hoped to be able to get Jesus to swallow a little soup, and he hastened his steps, anxious to know if she had succeeded.

I got him to swallow two or three spoonfuls, she said, and they seem to have done him good.  Dost think he seems to be resting easier?  Yes; but the fever hasn’t left him.  His brain is still clouded and feeble.  This is but the third day, she replied.  Truthfully I can say that I’ve never seen any man scourged like this one.  It is more than the customary scourging; the executioners must have gotten an extra fee.  As she had seen men crucified in Tiberias and Caesarea, he asked her if it were common for the crucified to live after being lifted from the cross.  Those that haven’t been on the cross more than two days are brought back frequently, but the third day ends them, so great are the pains in the head and heart.  But I knew one—­and she began to relate the almost miraculous recovery of a man who had been on the cross for nearly three days, and had been brought back by strong remedies to live to a good old age.  But none die on the first day?  Joseph said, and Esora answered that she never heard of anyone that died so quickly; without, however, asking Joseph if the man before them had been lifted down from the cross the first, second or third day.