It was well named the Passover, in memory of the angel's passing over the homes of the Chosen People.
CHAPTER IV.
THE ORPHAN
"Dear me! How my head aches," said Esther. "I do wish those dogs would stop barking."
The little girl had been ill for two or three days. The hot days of summer had brought on a fever. The doctor had said, "Keep the child quiet. All she needs is rest. She has played too much in the sunshine."
But how could poor little Esther have quiet? The street dogs were noisy enough in the daytime, but when night came, it seemed as though every single one was wide awake and quarrelling with his neighbours.
"They have no home, and are almost obliged to fight, to get enough to eat. I am sorry for them," said Esther's mother.
She felt more kindly to the dogs than most of the people in Jerusalem. They would have been glad to have the city rid of the creatures.