er deep voice had gained a new, strange tone as, at first rapidly
and softly, then in louder and firmer accents, she continued:

"So I attained my eighteenth year and was no longer satisfied to dwell
in Succoth. An indescribable longing, and not for you only, had taken
possession of my soul. What had formerly afforded me pleasure now seemed
shallow, and the monotony of life here in the remote frontier city amid
shepherds and flocks, appeared dull and pitiful.

"Eleasar, Aaron's son, had taught me to read and brought me books, full
of tales which could never have happened, yet which stirred the heart.
Many also contained hymns and fervent songs such as one lover sings to
another. These made a deep impression on my soul and, whenever I was
alone in the evening, or at noon-day when the shepherds and flocks were
far away in the fields, I repeated these songs or composed new ones,
most of which were hymns in praise of the deity. Sometimes they extolled
Amon with the ram's head, sometimes cow-headed Isis, and often, too, the
great and omnipotent God who revealed Himself to Abraham, and of whom
my mother spoke more and more frequently as she advanced in years. To
compose such hymns in quiet hours, wait for visions revealing God's
grandeur and splendor, or beautiful angels and horrible demons, became
my favorite occupation. The merry child had grown a dreamy maiden, who
let household affairs go as they would. And there was no one who could
have warned me, for my mother had followed my father to the grave; and I
now lived alone with my old aunt Rachel, unhappy myself, and a source
of joy to no one. Aaron, the oldest of our family, had removed to
the dwelling of his father-in-law Amminadab: the house of Amram, his
heritage, had become too small and plain for him and he left it to
me. My companions avoided me; for my mirthfulness had departed and I
patronized them with wretched arrogance because I could compose songs
and beheld more in my visions than all the other maidens.

"Nineteen years passed and, on the evening of my birthday, which no one
remembered save Milcah, Eleasar's daughter, the Most High for the first
time sent me a messenger. He came in the guise of an angel, and bade me
set the house in order; for a guest, the person dearest to me on earth,
was on the way.

"It was early and under this very tree; but I went home and, with old
Rachel's help, set the house in order, and provided food, wine, and all
else we offer