Star over Bethlehem Read Online Free PDF

physically so perfect. It must be just some gland—some perfectly simple thing. Doctors will find out some day. There must be something—injections—hypnotism.”
    â€œYou only torture yourself, Janet. All these doctors you drag him round to. It worries the boy.”
    â€œI’m not like you, Rodney. I don’t give up. I prayed again in church just now.”
    â€œYou pray too much.”
    â€œHow can one pray ‘too much’? I believe in God, I tell you. I believe in him. I have faith—and faith can move mountains.”
    â€œYou can’t give God orders, Janet.”
    â€œWhat an extraordinary thing to say!”
    â€œWell—” Major Grierson shifted uncomfortably.
    â€œI don’t think you know what faith is.”
    â€œIt ought to be the same as trust.”
    Janet Grierson was not listening.
    â€œToday—in church, I had a terrible feeling. I felt that God wasn’t there. I didn’t feel that there was no God—just that He was somewhere else … But where?”
    â€œReally, Janet!”
    â€œWhere could He be? Where could I find Him?”
    She calmed herself with an effort as they turned in at the gate of their own house. A stocky middle-aged woman came out smiling to meet them.
    â€œHave a nice service? Supper’s almost ready. Ten minutes?”
    â€œOh good. Thank you, Gertrude. Where’s Alan?”
    â€œHe’s out in the garden as usual. I’ll call him.”
    She cupped her mouth with her hands.
    â€œA—lan. A—lan.”
    Suddenly, with a rush, a boy came running. He was fair and blue-eyed. He looked excited and happy.
    â€œDaddy—Mummy—look what I’ve found.”
    He parted his cupped hands carefully, showing the small creature they contained.

    â€œUgh, horrible.” Janet Grierson turned away with a shudder.
    â€œDon’t you like him? Daddy!” He turned to his father. “See, he’s partly like a frog—but he isn’t a frog—he’s got feathers and a sort of wings. He’s quite new—not like any other animal.”
    He came nearer, and dropped his voice.
    â€œI’ve got a name for him. I call him Raphion. Do you think it’s a nice name?”
    â€œVery nice, my boy,” said his father with a slight effort.
    The boy put the strange creature down.
    â€œHop away, Raphion, or fly if you can. There he goes. He isn’t afraid of me.”
    â€œCome and get ready for supper, Alan,” said his mother.
    â€œOh yes, I’m hungry.”
    â€œWhat have you been doing?”
    â€œOh, I’ve been down at the end of the garden, talking to a friend. He helps me name the animals. We have such fun.”
    â€œHe’s happy, Janet,” said Grierson as the boy ran up the stairs.
    â€œI know. But what’s going to become of him? And those horrible things he finds. They’re all about everywhere nowadays since the accident at the Research station.”
    â€œThey’ll die out, dear. Mutations usually do.”
    â€œQueer heads—and extra legs!” She shuddered.
    â€œWell, think of all the legs centipedes have. You don’t mind them?”
    â€œThey’re natural.”
    â€œPerhaps everything has to have a first time.”
    Alan came running down the stairs again.
    â€œHave you had a nice time? Where did you go? To church?” He laughed, trying the word out. “Church—church—that’s a funny name.”
    â€œIt means God’s house,” said his mother.
    â€œDoes it? I didn’t know God lived in a house.”
    â€œGod is in Heaven, dear. Up in the sky. I told you.”
    â€œBut not always? Doesn’t He come down and walk about? In the evenings? In summer? When it’s nice and cool?”
    â€œIn the Garden of Eden,” said Grierson, smiling.
    â€œNo, in this garden, here. He’d like all the funny new animals and things like I