A large tear from her eyes fell upon Kepher's rough hand as she answered with a little sob: "I am glad that you are comforted with meat, but do not mock us, Friend, seeing that we are but lost wanderers who very soon must starve, since now our food is done." "What, Daughter ?" asked the old man in an astonished voice, "what?
Can I believe that you gave all you had to a beggar of the wilderness, and sat still while he devoured it?
And is it for this reason that you weep ?" "Forgive me, Father, but it is so," answered Tua.

"I am ashamed of such weakness, but recently my friend here and I have known hunger, very sore hunger, and the dread of it moves me.

Come, Asti, let us be going while our strength remains in us." Kepher looked up at the name, then turned to Tua and said: "Daughter, your face is fair, and your heart is perfect, since otherwise you would not have dealt with me as you have done.

Still, it seems that you lack one thing--undoubting faith in the goodness of the gods.
Though, surely," he added in a slow voice, "those who have passed yonder lion-haunted forest without hurt should not lack faith.

Say, now, how came you there ?" "We are ladies of Egypt," interrupted Asti, "or at least this maiden is, for I am but her old nurse.