When he came among them at the first they had grinned and laughed a little.
To do that was always the impulse of the poor souls, so miserably imprisoned, when a new comrade joined him.

But the majesty and the suffering in Israel's face told on their hearts at last.

He was a great man fallen, he had nothing left to him; not even bread to eat or water to drink.

So they gathered about him and hit on a way to make him share their food.

Bringing their sacks to his pillar, they stacked them about it, and asked him to serve out provisions to all, day by day, share and share alike.