"Three renegade Jews," said Mordecai _of the tribe of the few_, below breath. "For we are Christians." "Renegade is not the word, brother," objected Samuel _of the middle class_, softly. "Apostasy is the name for those who go over to the beliefs of the minority. The others are converts." "Admirably expressed, Samuel," said Ephraim. "You are a wise man. Why should I take the trouble to lie to you? I have come here alone, by night, because having changed Lord, I need compensating gifts, and--God, though He has become Jesus, son of Joseph, cannot hear me when His crowd of courtiers is besieging Him with clamorous petitions. Therefore I come sometimes to speak to Him as man to God. And who knows? Perhaps if I help myself sufficiently my words will be heard." "I will not deny," said Samuel, "that I am here with the same object." "My case differs in nothing from yours," Mordecai readily owned. "You, then, are a believer?" asked Ephraim, as if really curious, and at the same time anxious to avoid facing the same question. "I must be ... since I am converted," answered each of the others. "Sensible words," observed Ephraim, after a thoughtful pause. "To believe is to observe the forms of worship. In men's eyes, as in those of God himself, the ceremonies of the cult class one as a believer, and society first, Heaven later, will show approval by favours." "As far as men are concerned, it is not difficult to satisfy them," spoke Mordecai. "You go to the temple at prescribed times, you perform the rites scrupulously, with proper manifestations of zeal. And this, I dare say, is equally satisfactory to the God." "Certainly," said Ephraim. "But He is Jesus, son of Joseph, a Jewish God still, and sent by Jehovah, as is proved by His success. He must be a jealous God. Cleverness is necessary, and in my conferences with Him, when we are alone----" "That is it! That is it!" exclaimed the other two. "Brother," said Samuel, "what was it that led to your--conversion?"