And as they staggered along the stony road to the valley the woman sank down on the grass.
Joseph looked at her searchingly.

"Mary, Mary, what is it ?" A shepherd came along, looked at them, and listened to their request for shelter.
"My wife is ill, and no one will take us in," complained Joseph.
"Then you must go to the beasts," said the shepherd cheerfully.

"Come with me.

I'll gladly share my house with you.

The earth is my bed, the sky my roof, and a rocky cave my bedchamber." And he led them to a hollow in the mossy rocks, and it had a roof woven out of rushes.