Have I not told you so?
Come, let us be going.

I will drive the oxen, although it is not time to loose them from the plough, and do you and your companion walk at a distance behind me.

No, not behind--in front, that I may see that you do not drop the babe, or suffer it to come to any harm.

Truly it is sweet to look at, and, may God forgive me, I do not like to lose sight of its face, which, it seems to me, resembles that of my sister when she was also in arms." "Drop the babe!" began Nehushta; then understanding that this victim of a rule already loved it dearly, and would suffer much before he parted with it, pitying his weakness, she said only, "Be careful that you do not frighten it with your great oxen, for you men who scorn women have much to learn." Then, accompanied by the nurse, she stalked ahead in silence, while Ithiel followed after at a distance, leading the cattle by the hide loops about their horns, lest in their curiosity or eagerness to get home, they should do some mischief to the infant or wake it from its slumbers.

In this way they proceeded to the lower part of the village, till they came to a good house--empty as it chanced--where guests were accommodated in the best fashion that this kind and homely folk could afford.