Even the blind beggars, crouching under the town walls, were silent.

But out of the mosques there came a deep low chant as of many voices, from great numbers gathered within.
"The girl was right," said Fatimah; "something has happened." "What is it ?" said Habeebah.
"Nay, how should I know that either ?" said Fatimah.
"I tell you we are a pair of fools," said Habeebah.
Meantime Naomi held their hands, and they must needs follow where she led.

Her body was between them; they were borne along by her feeble frame as by an irresistible force.

And pitiful it would have seemed, and perhaps foolish also, if any human eye had seen them then, these helpless children of God, going whither they knew not and wherefore they knew not, save that a fear that was like to madness drew them on.
"Listen! I hear something," said Fatimah.
"Where ?" said Habeebah.
"The way we are going," said Fatimah.
On and on Naomi passed from street to street.

They were the same streets whereby she had returned to her father's house on the day that her goat was slain.