She knelt at his feet, clasped his knees, and kissed his hands over and over; and when he could he put the lank gray hair from her cheeks, and kissed them, saying, "Good Amrah, have you nothing, nothing of them--not a word--not one little sign ?" Then she broke into sobbing which made him answer plainer even than the spoken word.
"God's will has been done," he next said, solemnly, in a tone to make each listener know he had no hope more of finding his people.
In his eyes there were tears which he would not have them see, because he was a man.
When he could again, he took seat, and said, "Come, sit by me, Amrah--here.

No?
then at my feet; for I have much to say to these good friends of a wonderful man come into the world." But she went off, and stooping with her back to the wall, joined her hands before her knees, content, they all thought, with seeing him.
Then Ben-Hur, bowing to the old men, began again: "I fear to answer the question asked me about the Nazarene without first telling you some of the things I have seen him do; and to that I am the more inclined, my friends, because to-morrow he will come to the city, and go up into the Temple, which he calls his father's house, where, it is further said, he will proclaim himself.

So, whether you are right, O Balthasar, or you, Simonides, we and Israel shall know to-morrow." Balthasar rubbed his hands tremulously together, and asked, "Where shall I go to see him ?" "The pressure of the crowd will be very great.

Better, I think, that you all go upon the roof above the cloisters--say upon the Porch of Solomon." "Can you be with us ?" "No," said Ben-Hur, "my friends will require me, perhaps, in the procession." "Procession!" exclaimed Simonides.

"Does he travel in state ?" Ben-Hur saw the argument in mind.
"He brings twelve men with him, fishermen, tillers of the soil, one a publican, all of the humbler class; and he and they make their journeys on foot, careless of wind, cold, rain, or sun.
Seeing them stop by the wayside at nightfall to break bread or lie down to sleep, I have been reminded of a party of shepherds going back to their flocks from market, not of nobles and kings.
Only when he lifts the corners of his handkerchief to look at some one or shake the dust from his head, I am made known he is their teacher as well as their companion--their superior not less than their friend.
"You are shrewd men," Ben-Hur resumed, after a pause.