and that he is with us at every time, in every place--even here, now, on
this roof! Only think of it, Amzi! He is close beside us, seeing us,
hearing us, knowing our very hearts! There is no need more of appealing
to the spirits of the stars. Ah, they were ever far, far off!"

"And where learned you all this, friend priest?" There was an
indifferent raillery in the tone which chilled Yusuf to the heart.

"From Nathan, a Christian Jew, and his wife--people who live close to
God if any one does."

"In the Jewish quarter?"

"Even so."

Amzi laughed. "Truly, friend, you have chosen a fair spot for your
revelation--a quarter of filth and vice. A case of good coming out of
evil, truly!"

"Will you not grant that there are some good even in the Jewish
quarter?"

"Some, perhaps; yet there are some good among all peoples."

"Amzi, can you not believe?"

"No, no, friend Yusuf; I am glad for your happiness--believe what you
will. But it is foreign to Amzi's nature to accept on hearsay that which
he has not inquired into--probed to the bottom even. He cannot accept
the testimony of any passing stranger, however plausible it may seem.