People went about mournfully looking over their shoulders as though someone were following them, and at night they gathered together in knots and talked in whispers.

Only the Hebrews seemed to be glad and happy.

Moreover, they were making preparations for something new and strange.

Thus those Israelitish women who dwelt in Memphis began to sell what property they had and to borrow of the Egyptians.

Especially did they ask for the loan of jewels, saying that they were about to celebrate a feast and wished to look fine in the eyes of their countrymen.