that I may protect her," returned Joseph, and he lifted up his
carpenter's hand.

The door was slammed in their faces.

A fruit-seller, who had witnessed the scene, stretched forth his brown
neck and asked for their passport.

"If you show me your papers and three pieces of silver, I'll take you
in for the love of God. For we are all wanderers on the earth."

"We've no passport. We've come from Nazareth in Galilee for the
enrolment, because I am of the house of David," replied Joseph.

"Of the house of David! Why, you don't seem to know whether you're on
your head or your heels," and with a laugh the fruit-seller went his
way.

"It is true," thought Joseph, "noble ancestors are useless to a man of
no importance." For the future he would let David alone.

Mary now advised him to go outside the town again. Perhaps the very
poor or entire strangers would have pity on them. And as they
staggered along the stony road to the valley the woman sank down on the
grass.

Joseph looked at her searchingly. "Mary, Mary, what is it?"

A shepherd came along, looked at them, and listened to their request
for shelter.