“They were so in former years,” replied Jotham, who yet hung on the embrace of Philip, as if his heart yearned towards him; “but now, all is changed. They whom I loved are dead, or are gone I know not whither. Men looked strange on me when I met them in the gate; and when I passed into the vineyards, the vine-dressers ceased not their song, nor regarded me. The aged men looked askance on me as I sat among them under the fig-tree, and with the young men who wrestled and hunted I had nothing to do. I sought out one who had been an old man in the days of my youth; he still lived; but his memory had departed from him, and he looked on me strangely, and shook his head when I spake of former days. One other whom I had loved, hath had his heart hardened by riches: and seeing that I had nothing, and was without friends, he burnt perfume before me as soon as I had entered, that I might immediately depart. I did depart that very hour, and I will return to Mamre no more.”
“Wherefore camest thou not unto Jerusalem?”
