An Echo in the Darkness(35)

As she told the story, she continued pouring some of the cooled water from the basin and adding more and more hot water, until steam came up from the pan in which the child had her foot. The gradual increase in temperature caused no increase in pain and was little noticed.

“The evil king died and El Roi, ‘God who sees,’ sent word to them by another angel—”

Little Helena gave a startled gasp and a soft groan. The water in the basin reddened as the boil burst and emptied.

Hadassah stroked the child’s calf. “Good girl. Keep your foot in the water. Let the boil drain,” she said and thanked God for his mercy. “Doesn’t that feel better?” Leaning heavily on her walking stick, she rose and made a poultice of herbs such as the ones Alexander prepared for patients with festering wounds. When she finished, she glanced back at them. “Your mother is going to put you on the table, and I’ll bandage your foot,” she told Helena, and Ephicharis rose and did as she instructed.

Hadassah gently rinsed Helena’s foot and then dried it, making sure all the vicious blood-tinged, yellow-white fluid had drained. She placed the poultice gently and wrapped the foot tightly with clean linen. She washed her hands and dried them. Tapping Helena on her nose, she said playfully, “No running around for a day or two.”

Sitting up, Helena giggled. Her eyes flickered and a serious expression spread across her small elfin face. “What happened to the little boy?”

Hadassah folded the extra linen. “He grew up and proclaimed his kingdom, and the government rested on his shoulders; and his name was called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” She put the linen back on the shelf.

“There now, Helena. The little boy escaped all harm,” Ephicharis said.

“No,” Hadassah said, shaking her head. “The child grew and became strong. He increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men. But men betrayed him. They told lies about him and turned him over to be crucified.”

Helena’s face fell and Ephicharis looked dismayed, clearly wishing Hadassah had left this part of the story untold.

Hadassah tipped Helena’s chin. “You see, even his followers didn’t understand who Jesus really was. They thought he was just a man, Helena. His enemies thought if they killed him, his power would end. His body was placed in a borrowed tomb and sealed, and they had Roman guards watch over it. But three days later, Jesus arose from the grave.”

Helena’s face lit with a smile. “He did?”

“Oh yes, he did. And he’s still alive today.”

“Tell me more!”

Ephicharis laughed. “We have to leave, Helena. Others are waiting.” Smiling, she handed Hadassah two quadrantes and then lifted her daughter Helena. “Thank you for tending her foot—and for the story.”

“It wasn’t just a story, Ephicharis. It’s true. My father witnessed it.”

Ephicharis stared at her in amazement. She held Helena closer and hesitated, as though she wanted to stay and talk more. But she had been right. There were others in need waiting outside. Hadassah put her hand on the woman’s arm. “Come back any morning, and I’ll tell you all the things Jesus did.”

“Oh, please, Mama,” Helena said. Ephicharis nodded. She drew back the curtain and started when she saw Alexander sitting on a stool right outside. She gasped an embarrassed apology and stepped past him. Helena turned her head away and clung more tightly to her mother. Bowing slightly, Ephicharis quickly left the booth. Alexander watched her hurry away. He had seen the fear in her eyes—and in the child’s eyes—when she looked at him. Yet, they both trusted Hadassah completely.

“Where are the others?” Hadassah said.

“I told them to come back tomorrow.”

“Are you angry with me?”

“No. I’m the one who told you to see what you could do with them. I just didn’t expect . . .” He gave a rueful laugh and shook his head. He rose and looked down at her. “I’ll have to keep a closer eye on you or you’ll steal my other patients out from under my nose.” He gave her veil a light, good-natured tug.

Entering the booth, he closed the curtain and took the money box from its hiding place. “By the way, why did Boethus leave? Did you heal him while he was waiting?”

Hadassah decided to answer his teasing question seriously. “I think his physical complaints were caused by fear.”

Alexander glanced at her, interested. “Fear? How so?”

“Worry, my lord. He has no work and a family to feed and shelter. He said his stomach troubles began a few weeks ago. That’s when he said he last worked at the docks. And his headache started a few days ago, about the same time his landlord said if he had no money for rent, the family would be put out on the street.”