"He guides the stars in their courses,"

"He guides the stars in their courses? What do you mean? You are a
fool, a godless fool. You will learn what terrors await you. This
arrogance is the beginning. His Father guides the stars in their
courses indeed!"




CHAPTER VIII

News came from Judaea that King Herod was dead. It was also reported
that his successor, called Herod the younger, was of milder temperament
and a true friend of his people. So Joseph considered that the time
was now come when he might return to his native land with his wife and
his tall, slender son. His basket-making, through industry and thrift,
had, almost without his noticing it, put so much money into his pocket
that he was able to treat with a Phoenician merchant regarding the
journey home. For they would not go back across the desert: Joseph
wanted to show his family the sea. He took willow twigs with him in
order to have something to do during the voyage. Mary occupied herself
in repairing and making clothes, so that she might be nicely dressed
when she arrived home. The other passengers who were in the big ship
were glad of the idleness, and amused themselves in all sorts of ways.
Jesus often joined them, and rejoiced with those who were glad. But
when the amusement degenerated into extravagance and shamelessness, he
retired to the cabin, or looked at the wide expanse of waters.

One moonlight night when they were on the high seas, a storm sprang up.