“Pray ye first and then eat to your hearts’ content,” she said.
“But thou, darling, wilt thou not join our company?” asked the older boy.
“I will eat afterwards; just now I have no time, but I will readily eat up all you leave!”
Zenobi forced herself to smile although tears were really choking her; this was all the food which remained in their house, they had no money whatever—how and with what were the children to be fed the next day? That was the question which constantly came into her mind and kept her from being quiet. Wishing to conceal her worry, she went out—but her brother took advantage of her absence in order to somewhat restrain the appetite of the children.
“Leave something for Zenobi,” said he, “for I believe she has eaten nothing since morning; all the bread which was left she divided among us without keeping a single piece for herself.”
Noticing also that the quantity of rice was constantly diminishing, he assumed a more decided tone:
“Enough!” he suddenly broke out, rising from his chair. “Pray ye to God and go out to play in the street, the sun is shining in all its wonderful glory—lose no time while it is warm and comfortable!” and taking the smallest of the children by the hand, he read aloud the after-dinner prayer and went out.
“Zenobi!” he cried, coming out, “we have all finished.” The young girl entered the room, hastily crossed herself and with anxiety sat down and began to eat the rice, but she had not succeeded in swallowing the first morsel, when the door of the saklia opened itself and a poor, poor hermit came in.
“In the name of the Infant Jesus let me get rested, refresh myself and have something to eat!” said he. Zenobi immediately rose; hunger was torturing her, but she did not hesitate for a moment to offer him her forlorn repast.
“Yes, may God be blessed, who hath sent a guest even to our poor saklia for such a great celebration!” she answered; “eat—while I prepare thee a comfortable bed,” and having done everything to make the foreign traveller feel as much at home as possible, she went out into the street, in order to keep the children quiet during the sleep of the wise old man.