The household hath fled," was the low answer.
"Haste, haste!" Costobarus cried to the rush of servants about him.
"Lose no time.

We must be gone from this place before mid-afternoon.
Laodice! Where is Laodice ?" he inquired.
Then his wife who had stood aside spoke.
"She is not yet prepared," she explained unreadily.

"She needs a frieze cloak--" Costobarus broke in by beckoning his wife to one side, where the servants could not hear him say compassionately, "Let there be no delay for small things, Hannah.

Let us haste, for Laodice is going on the Lord's business." "A matter of a day only," Hannah urged.

"A delay that is further necessary, for Aquila's horse is lame." The old man shook his head and looked away to see a man-servant stagger out under a load of splendid carpets.