what she was able, and gave her leave to carry it home. He also
gave it in charge to that servant who was over the reapers, not
to hinder her when she took it away, and bade him give her her
dinner, and make her drink when he did the like to the reapers.
Now what corn Ruth received of him she kept for her
mother-in-law, and came to her in the evening, and brought the
ears of corn with her; and Naomi had kept for her a part of such
food as her neighbors had plentifully bestowed upon her. Ruth
also told her mother-in-law what Booz had said to her; and when
the other had informed her that he was near of kin to them, and
perhaps was so pious a man as to make some provision for them,
she went out again on the days following, to gather the gleanings
with Booz's maidservants.

3. It was not many days before Booz, after the barley was
winnowed, slept in his thrashing-floor. When Naomi was informed
of this circumstance she contrived it so that Ruth should lie
down by him, for she thought it might be for their advantage that
he should discourse with the girl. Accordingly she sent the
damsel to sleep at his feet; who went as she bade her, for she
did not think it consistent with her duty to contradict any
command of her mother-in-law. And at first she lay concealed from
Booz, as he was fast asleep; but when he awaked about midnight,
and perceived a woman lying by him, he asked who she was; - and
when she told him her name, and desired that he whom she owned
for her lord would excuse her, he then said no more; but in the
morning, before the servants began to set about their work, he
awaked her, and bid her take as much barley as she was able to
carry, and go to her mother-in-law before any body there should
see that she had lain down by him, because it was but prudent to