Men and women equipped for travelling lay around fires hurriedly lighted
in front of many tents and houses, and in the larger farms shepherds were
driving the cattle and slaughtering the oxen and sheep which were unable
to go with the people. The blows of axes and hammers and the creaking of
saws were heard in front of many a house; for litters to transport the
sick and feeble must be made. Carts and wains were still to be loaded,
and the heads of families had a hard task with the women; for a woman's
heart often clings more closely to things apparently worthless than to
those of the greatest value. When the weaver Rebecca was more eager to
find room in the cart for the rude cradle in which her darling had died,
than for the beautiful ebony chest inlaid with ivory an Egyptian had
pawned to her husband, who could blame her?

Light shone from all the window openings and tent doors, while from the
roofs of the largest houses the blaze of torches or lanterns greeted the
approaching Hebrews.

At the banquet served on the night of the harvest festival, no table had
lacked a roast lamb; during this hour of waiting the housewife offered
her family what she could.

The narrow streets of the humble little town were full of active life,
and never had the setting stars shone upon features so cheerful, eyes
sparkling so brightly with enthusiasm, and faces so transfigured by hope
and devout piety.




CHAPTER XII.