"Study hath given no answer for bringing back the dead," said Peter, cynically; "yet I would my Lord did not return to Bethany, for I fear the Jews: This death of Lazarus the ruler doth make them bold, and Nicodemus was ever an unstable reed, drawn hither and thither by divers doctrines."
At that moment one of the disciples threw another log on the fire, and a flame leapt up, making visible the dark foliage of the fig trees, and lighting with a thousand glancings the damp rocks behind.
There, in the midst of them, illumined by other lights than earthly ones, stood motionless the Nazarene; and, as if in answer to their wonderments, He murmured, in His sweet, sad voice: "Lazarus is dead."
"He hath seen Martha," said one, "for I was told that she was near here this eve."
"Tut, the Lord needeth none to tell Him," said another.
Then the sweet, murmuring voice went on: "And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe. Nevertheless, let us go to him."
All sprang to their feet at the Lord's command. Doubtless He would start on His way at night, in order to reach Bethany before daybreak; and Thomas, believing in His power to restore, but not in His power to save them, yet full of undying love, turned to his fellow-disciples and addressed them.
"Let us also go, that we may die with Him," he counselled.
Then, falling down at Jesus' feet, they murmured: "We will follow Thee wheresoever Thou goest, and we will die with Thee."
