My father and mother were Hebrew bond-servants, tenders of the fig and olive trees growing, with many vines, in the King's Garden hard by Siloam; and in my boyhood I helped them.

They were of the class bound to serve forever.

They sold me to the Prince Hur, then, next to Herod the King, the richest man in Jerusalem.

From the garden he transferred me to his storehouse in Alexandria of Egypt, where I came of age.

I served him six years, and in the seventh, by the law of Moses, I went free." Esther clapped her hands lightly.
"Oh, then, thou art not his father's servant!" "Nay, daughter, hear.