The Collected Short Stories - Jeffrey Archer [85]
“The governor is very displeased with you. He returned at sunset, and is about to send out a search party for you.”
The boy darted past the guard and ran all the way to the family’s quarters, where he found his father addressing a sergeant of the guard and a dozen legionnaires. His mother was standing by his side, weeping.
The governor turned when he saw his son. “Where have you been?” he said in an icily measured tone.
“To Bethlehem, sir.”
“Yes, child, I am aware of that. But whatever possessed you to return so late? Have I not told you on countless occasions never to be out of the compound after dark?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then you will come to my study at once.”
The boy looked helplessly toward his mother, then turned to follow his father into the study. The guard winked at the boy as he passed by, but he realized that nothing could save him now. His father strode ahead of him, and sat down on a wooden stool behind his table. His mother followed and stood silently drying her eyes just inside the door.
“Now, tell me exactly where you have been, and why it took you so long to return. And be sure to speak only the truth.”
The boy stood in front of his father and calmly told him everything that had taken place.
He told how he had gone to the village and taken great care in choosing the food for their dinner, and how in so doing he had saved half the money his mother had given him; then how on the way back he had seen a fat lady on a donkey unable to find a place at the inn. He explained why he had followed her into the barn and parted with all their food; how the shepherds had shouted and beaten their breasts until there was a great light in the sky, when they had all fallen silent on their knees; and then finally how he had come to meet the three robed men who sat astride camels and were searching for the King of Kings.
The father grew more and more angry at his son’s words.
“What a story this is!” he shouted. “Do tell me more. Did you meet this King of Kings?”
“No, six, did not,” the boy replied. His father rose and started pacing around the room.
“Perhaps there is a simpler explanation as to why your face and fingers are stained red with pomegranate juice.”
“No, Pater. I did buy an extra pomegranate, but even after I had bought all the food, I still managed to save one silver denarius.”
The boy handed the coin over to his mother, believing it would confirm his story. But the sight of it only made his father angrier. He stopped pacing and stared down into the eyes of his son.
“You have spent the other denarius on yourself, and now you have nothing to show for it.”
“That’s not true, Pater, I …”
“I will allow you one more chance to tell me the truth,” said his father as he resumed his seat behind the table. “Fail me, boy, and I shall give you a leathering you will never forget for the rest of your life.”
The boy did not hesitate. “I have already told you the truth, Pater.”
“Listen to me carefully, my son. We were born Romans, born to rule the world because our laws and customs are tried and tested and have always been based on complete integrity. Romans never lie; that is our strength and the weakness of our enemies. That is why we rule while others are willing to be ruled, and as long as that is so, the Roman Empire will never fall. Do you understand what I am saying to you, boy?”
“Yes, Pater, I understand.”
“Then you will also understand why it is imperative always to tell the truth, whatever the consequences.”
“Yes, Pater, I do. But I have already told you the truth.”
“Then there is no hope for you,” said the man quietly. “You leave me no choice as to how I will have to deal with you.”
The boy’s mother raised her hand, wanting to come to her son’s aid, but knew any protest would be useless. The governor rose from his chair, removed the leather belt from around his waist, and folded it double, with the heavy brass studs on the outside. He then ordered his son to bend down and touch his toes. The young boy obeyed without hesitation, and his father raised the belt above his head and brought