During the third hour the road in front of the resting-place of the lepers became gradually more and more frequented by people going in the direction of Bethphage and Bethany; now, however, about the commencement of the fourth hour, a great crowd appeared over the crest of Olivet, and as it defiled down the road thousands in number, the two watchers noticed with wonder that every one in it carried a palm-branch freshly cut.

As they sat absorbed by the novelty, the noise of another multitude approaching from the east drew their eyes that way.

Then the mother awoke Tirzah.
"What is the meaning of it all ?" the latter asked.
"He is coming," answered the mother.

"These we see are from the city going to meet him; those we hear in the east are his friends bearing him company; and it will not be strange if the processions meet here before us.
"I fear, if they do, we cannot be heard." The same thought was in the elder's mind.
"Amrah," she asked, "when Judah spoke of the healing of the ten, in what words did he say they called to the Nazarene ?" "Either they said, 'Lord, have mercy upon us,' or 'Master, have mercy.'" "Only that ?" "No more that I heard." "Yet it was enough," the mother added, to herself.
"Yes," said Amrah, "Judah said he saw them go away well." Meantime the people in the east came up slowly.

When at length the foremost of them were in sight, the gaze of the lepers fixed upon a man riding in the midst of what seemed a chosen company which sang and danced about him in extravagance of joy.