CALEB It may be wondered whether any girl who was ever born into the world could boast a stranger or a happier upbringing than Miriam.

She was, it is true, motherless, but by way of compensation Fate endowed her with several hundred fathers, each of whom loved her as the apple of his eye.

She did not call them "Father" indeed, a term which under the circumstances they thought incorrect.

To her, one and all, they went by the designation of "Uncle," with their name added if she happened to know it, if not as Uncle simply.

It cannot be said, however, that Miriam brought peace to the community of the Essenes.