Читать книгу Time - Alan Sorem - Страница 10

The shop door creaked on its hinges as it swung open part way, awaking Yeshua from his reverie. He shook his head to clear the memories of the long ago trip. Yehudah peered in at his two oldest brothers. “How are things in the toy shop?”

“Go away, brother,” growled Yaakob. “Men are working.”

“Of course! And to which wealthy merchant do we owe thanks for this particular delight?”

Yaakob lifted the plane he was using in his young brother’s direction.

“Those who put food on our table are not to be mocked.”

“Oh, pardon. Perhaps you will allow me to borrow one of your fine wheels to roll about in the street.”

“Hold on, hold on, you two,” warned Yeshua. He had stopped his own work and gazed speculatively at Yehudah.

“I think you are ready to join our work. Why don’t you come apprentice with us? Begin by keeping the count of supplies needed for projects in the bins and on the shelves. Sweep up at the end of day. Make sure the tools are stored properly.”

Yaakob snorted.

“Indoor work!” sneered Yehudah. “I’d rather work in the fields. Overseer of the shepherds of our flocks is what I call real work. They need overseeing. They’re as stupid as the sheep.”

“Ba-a-a-a,” replied Yaakob.

“Stop it now, both of you,” Yeshua commanded. “Yehudah, what prompts this interruption?”

“Our kinsman Yohannon has arrived, wilder-eyed then ever.” Yehudah pinched his nose, and laughed. “Bringing with him such a rankness of stink that he must have forgotten to bathe for a week or more.” He turned his head and sniffed loudly. “Ah, I smell him coming now.”

He retreated, closing the door. They heard his voice greeting their kinsman and a rap on the door, followed immediately by its opening.

“Cousins! Greetings to you in the name of the Lord Most High!”

Yaakob grunted and turned back to his work, but Yeshua lay down his tool and crossed the room to embrace Yohannon.

As he drew back, Yeshua grimaced. “Kinsman, a good bath would make you more welcome as a guest.”

“Ah, straightforward as ever!” Yohannon laughed. “Until three days ago I was as sweet-smelling as any bride might wish her groom to be. I have kept company with the Essenes in the wilderness. So intent on purification! Not satisfied with washing their hands before eating, they bathe before every meal in special pools! My flesh was in danger of becoming wrinkled by so much physical application of cleansing.”

“Should have stayed,” muttered Yaakob, his eyes surveying the even smoothness of his plane on a long piece of wood.

Yohannon turned to him. “No, as the days passed I realized that my way of holiness must take a different path. More cleansing of the heart and less of the body. At any rate, I have a bath awaiting me at the local inn before enjoying a wonderful meal with all my Nazareth kin. I wanted to waste no time in bringing greetings from my mother and our sorrow at the death of your father. I understand that he did not suffer overlong.”

“Long enough,” said Yaakob as Yohannon continued. “Yeshua, I have important matters about which I wish to speak with you. Perhaps a walk in the garden after supper?”

Yeshua smiled. “Yes, as long as you practice physical cleansing before the meal.”