When the wailing women appeared he knelt once more at the head of his father's bier, cast a last loving look at Miriam's peaceful face, and then followed his host.
The man and boy crossed the court together.

Hermas involuntarily glanced up at the window where more than once he had seen Sirona, and said, as he pointed to the centurion's house, "He too fell." Petrus nodded and opened the door of his house.

In the hall, which was lighted up, Dorothea came hastily to meet him, asking, "No news yet of Polykarp ?" Her husband shook his head, and she added, "How indeed is it possible?
He will write at the soonest from Klysma or perhaps even from Alexandria." "That is just what I think," replied Petrus, looking down to the ground.
Then he turned to Hermas and introduced him to his wife.
Dorothea received the young man with warm sympathy; she had heard that his father had fallen in the fight, and how nobly he too had distinguished himself.

Supper was ready, and Hermas was invited to share it.

The mistress gave her daughter a sign to make preparations for their guest, but Petrus detained Marthana, and said, "Hermas may fill Antonius' place; he has still something to do with some of the workmen.
Where are Jethro and the house-slaves ?" "They have already eaten," said Dorothea.
The husband and wife looked at each other, and Petrus said with a melancholy smile, "I believe they are up on the mountain." Dorothea wiped a tear from her eye as she replied, "They will meet Antonius there.