"He is our guest," answered Tua gravely, "let him take what we have to
give."
For a while Asti was silent, then again she broke out into remonstrance.
"Peace, Nurse," replied Tua, "I have said that he is our guest, and the
law of hospitality may not be broken."
"Then the law of hospitality will bring us to our deaths," muttered
Asti.
"If so, so let it be, Nurse; at least this poor man will be filled, and
for the rest, as always, we must trust to Amen our father."
Yet as she spoke the words tears gathered in her eyes, for she knew that
Asti was right, and now that all the food was gone, on which with care
they might have lived for two days or more, soon they would faint, and
perish, unless help came to them, which was not likely in that lonesome
place. Once, not so long ago, they had starved for lack of sustenance,
and it was the thought of that slow pain so soon to be renewed, that
brought the water to her eyes.
Meanwhile Kepher, whose appetite for one so ancient was sharp indeed,
finished the contents of the basket down to the last date, and handed it
back to Tua with a bow, saying:
"I thank you, Daughter; the Queen of Egypt could not have entertained
me more royally," and he peered at her with his horny eyes.
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