occasion and of the story of Jonathan and David that Azariah had read to
him. You will ask him to come here one night, Father, and translate it
to you? Promise me that you will. But I can read Hebrew, Dan replied,
and there is no reason for those wondering eyes. Thy Granny will tell
thee. But, Father--Joseph stopped suddenly. It had come into his mind to
ask his father how it was that he had never read the story of Jonathan
and David to him, but his interest in the matter dying suddenly, he
said: to-morrow I begin my lessons, and Azariah tells me that I must
have a copy of the Scriptures for my very own use. Now where are thy
thoughts? In a barrel of salt fish? Father, do listen. I'd like to learn
Hebrew from bottom to top and from top to bottom and then sideways, so
as to put the Scribes in Jerusalem to shame when you send me thither for
the Feast of the Passover. And thou'lt mind that my Scriptures be made
by the best Scribe in Galilee and on the best parchment, promise me,
Father!

Dan promised his son that no finer manuscript should be procurable in
Galilee. But the making of this magnificent copy would delay for many
months Joseph's instruction in Hebrew, and Joseph was so impatient to
begin that he lay awake that night and in the morning ransacked his
father's rooms, laying hands on some quires of his father's Scriptures;
and no sooner out of the house than a great fear fell upon him that he
might be robbed: the quires were hidden in his vest suddenly and he
walked on in confidence, also in a great seriousness, going his way
melancholy as a camel, his head turned from the many temptations that
the way offered to him--the flower in the cactus hedge was one. He
passed it without picking it, and further on he allowed a strange
crawling insect to go by without molestation, and feeling his mood to be
exceptional he fell to thinking that his granny would laugh, were she to
see him.