In confusion and fierce anger he rose up and stumbled through the crooked passage to the door, and flinging it wide, he stood in the doorway facing them that stood without.
"Peace! Peace!" he cried, "and shame! shame! Remember the doom of him that shall curse the high priest of the Lord." This he spoke in a voice that shook with wrath.

Then suddenly, his voice failing him, he said in a broken whisper, "My good people, what is this?
Your servant is grown old in your service.

Sixty and odd years he has shared your sorrows and your burdens.

What has he done this day that your women should lift up their voices against him ?" But, in awe of his white head in the moonlight, the rabble that stood in the darkness were silent and made no answer.

Then he staggered back, and Israel helped him into his house, and Ruth did what she could to compose him.