We know nothing of what went on during those three months, but we may presume that things continued as they began. It is not likely that Elizabeth said her "_Ave_" only once, and only once spoke of the honour she considered it to have the Mother of GOD in her house. It is not likely that the unborn Forerunner never again saluted His Master, in Whose presence he so continually was. It is impossible to conceive that Mary sang GOD'S praises and her own unworthiness no more during those three months. And what about JESUS? These were the first three months of His life on earth, and grace was surely going out from Him to His Blessed Mother first, and then to all who knew the secret. And we must not forget the head of the household, Zachary. He, at any rate after the birth of his son, knew the secret too, for he spoke in his song of praise of the "_Orient_ from on High (which) hath visited us." (St Luke i. 78.) "Dumb" he had been and "unable to speak," but Mary with her Son had been sojourning in his house, with the result that his doubts had all disappeared, and that he understood already something of the "joy and gladness" which Gabriel had promised should be his (verse 14), and understood also how it came to pass that his son was "filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb." (verse 15.) But the time comes when Mary has to leave this highly favoured household and go home. Her work of charity is over. Elizabeth no longer needs her, and her thoughts turn to Joseph, her husband, and to Nazareth--to the spot where Gabriel had visited her, and where the Holy Ghost had wrought such great things in her. _Point II._--MARY'S SILENCE TO ST JOSEPH