The Crown and the Cross: The Life of Christ Read Online Free Page A

roadside under the shelter of the trees wherever night caught them or in the public caravansaries outside the towns.
    “I am only a carpenter of Nazareth,” Joseph said with quiet dignity. “But my wife is great with child and her time is near.”
    For the first time Jonas noticed the young woman sitting in the corner upon a bale. The quietly radiant beauty in her face made it shine, he thought, like that of an angel. Then she gasped from a sudden spasm of pain and her hands grasped her swollen body.
    The look of pain on his wife’s face seemed to resolve the carpenter’s hesitation about the price asked by the innkeeper. “I will pay what you ask,” he said quickly, reaching for the flabby and worn purse at his belt.
    Just then Elam spoke loudly. “Did I hear you say you have a couch left for the night, landlord?” he demanded.
    The innkeeper’s quick appraising glance noted the Pharisee’s rich robe and his air of wealth and authority. “I have only one, noble sir,” he said, “and this man—”
    “I will pay you four shekels for the use of the couch,” Elam interrupted importantly, taking a bulging purse from his girdle.
    The landlord’s face brightened. “Certainly, sir,” he said respectfully.
    “But you contracted with me for the couch,” Joseph objected. “I was opening my purse to pay.” He did not speak loudly; the am ha-arets did not thrust themselves forward in the presence of a man of such obvious importance as Elam. But his tone was firm nevertheless, showing that he was accustomed to standing up for his rights and was well acquainted with them.
    “No money changed hands,” Elam pointed out.
    “My purse is open.”
    “You have not paid the landlord,” Elam said sharply. “Do you claim that you did?”
    “No, I had not paid him,” Joseph admitted.
    “Then there is no contract under the Law, for no money has changed hands,” Elam said triumphantly. “The couch is mine for the price of four shekels.”
    The innkeeper was not without pity. He, too, had seen the young mother’s grimace of pain. Besides, it was considered good luck when a birth took place at an inn. “You were here first,” he told the carpenter. “If you can equal the price of four shekels, the couch is still yours.”
    “Two would have emptied my purse,” Joseph admitted. “The Pharisee is right about the Law; rent him the couch.”
    Elam was counting out the four shekels importantly, making certain everyone had a chance to see how fat his purse was. “This pays for a place in the stable for my servant, of course,” he added.
    “The very best space, beside the manger,” the innkeeper assured him. “All the others are already filled.”
    “See that the animals are well cared for, Jonas,” Elam directed. “We must leave very early in the morning.”
    The carpenter had gone to where his wife sat on the bale and was now helping her to her feet. “We will find a place somewhere, Mary,” Jonas heard him tell her as he followed them outside into the inn yard.
    The woman tried to smile, but just then another spasm of pain made her cry out. Moved by pity, Jonas said to Joseph, “My master purchased space for me in the straw of the stable. Your wife may have it if you wish.”
    “But you will have no place to sleep.”
    “I am used to faring for myself,” Jonas assured him. “Besides, one of the other men will probably share his place with me.”
    Joseph was still doubtful and Jonas could understand his concern. A stable was a poor place for a child to be born, but at least it was a shelter and a measure of protection from the biting wind. Nor were they likely to find anything better tonight, with so many people on the road.
    “The pain is great, Joseph,” the young mother said. “I am not afraid to bear my child in a stable.”
    “We accept your offer then,” the carpenter said gratefully. “But you must let me pay you.”
    “The poor stand together, friend Joseph,” Jonas said with a smile. “I