"Give me back the paper, Esther," interrupted Solomon, taking it from her limp hand. "The boys have never seen a telegram."
"But we cannot spare the money," urged Moses helplessly. "We have just enough money to get along with to-day. Solomon, go on with thy prayers; thou seizest every excuse to interrupt them. Rachel, go away from him. Thou art also a disturbing Satan to him. I do not wonder his teacher flogged him black and blue yesterday—he is a stubborn and rebellious son who should be stoned, according to Deuteronomy."
"We must do without dinner," said Esther impulsively.
Sarah sat down on the floor and howled "Woe is me! Woe is me!"
"I didden touch 'er," cried Ikey in indignant bewilderment.
"'Tain't Ikey!" sobbed Sarah. "Little Tharah wants 'er dinner."
"Thou hearest?" said Moses pitifully. "How can we spare the money?"
"How much is it?" asked Esther.
"It will be a shilling each there and back," replied Moses, who from his long periods of peregrination was a connoisseur in fares. "How can we afford it when I lose a morning's work into the bargain?"
"No, what talkest thou?" said Esther. "Thou art looking a few months ahead—thou deemest perhaps, I am already twelve. It will be only sixpence for me."