Few paused.

The single shop in Emmaus became active; the khan caught a little of the drift, but the great body of what seemed to be an unending stream of pilgrims passed on.

The Maccabee spoke to his host.
"What is this ?" he asked.
The publican raised his brows.
"Hast never heard of the Passover ?" he asked.
The Maccabee started.

How far he had drifted from the customs of his people, to fail to remember its vital feast--he who meant to be king over the Jews! He turned away a little abashed.

The train of thought awakened by the khan-keeper's answer led him back to the hieratic customs of his race.
What was his status as a Jew after all these years of delinquency?
What atonement did he owe, what offering should he make?
He went out over the cobbled pavement of the lewen to the gate.