He had learned in the sojourn of his guest that this man was in the habit of doing as he pleased.

So the shepherd sighed and let him go reluctantly.
"But," he insisted to the last moment, "remember that Pella is a City of Refuge.

If Jerusalem ceases to be hospitable, come to Pella." A thought struck him.
"She," he said in a low tone, "promised that she would come." "Then expect me," the Maccabee said.
The shepherd boy smiled contentedly and blessed the Maccabee and let him go.

As long as the man could see, his young host watched him, and at the summit of the hill the Maccabee turned to wave his final farewell.

When the path dipped down the other side of the hill, the man felt that more than the sunshine had been cut off by its great shadow.
He did not go forward with a light heart.