A tender smile played about her mouth; her head was held forward; her nostrils quivered; and her cheeks were flushed.

She had pushed her hat back from her head, and her yellow hair had fallen over her neck and breast.

One of her hands covered one ear, and the other strayed among the plants that grew on the bank beside her.
She seemed to be listening intently, eagerly, rapturously.

A rare and radiant joy, a pure and tender delight, appeared to gush out of her beautiful face.

It was almost as though she believed that everything she heard with the great new gift which God had given her was speaking to her, and bidding her welcome and offering her love; as if the garrulous old olive over her head were stretching down his arms to sport with her hair, and pattering; "Kiss me, little one! kiss me, sweet one! kiss me! kiss me!"-- as if the rippling river at her feet were laughing and crying, "Catch me, naked feet! catch me, catch me!" as if the thrush on the bough were singing, "Where from, sunny locks?
where from?
where from ?"--as if the young squirrel were chirping, "I'm not afraid, not afraid, not afraid!" and as if the grey old sheep were breathing slowly, "Pat me, little maiden! you may, you may!" "God bless her beautiful face!" cried Israel.