"How heavy her cap must be," said Esther. "It is like a crown."
"All the coins she owns are sewed on her cap," answered the mother. "It tells every one just how rich she is."
"I don't see how she does her work if she wears that robe all the time," said Miriam. "The sleeves are so large, I should think they must be in the way."
"She probably ties them together behind her. I have been told that is the way. She can use them as pockets."
"I don't see how men ever get used to carrying such big loads," said Esther.
She pointed to two porters who were bent nearly double. Their loads were strapped upon cushions fastened on their backs, and held in place by straps around their heads.
A WOMAN OF BETHLEHEM.
"Each of those men must have almost as much of a load as a camel carries," said Esther's mother. "It seems almost impossible, but it is true. It is a hard life, a very hard life."
While she was speaking they entered the market. The eyes of the little girls were kept busy looking at the many different things of interest.