m nights and the
straw in the caves is clean and warm; I have made a bed there for my
little lamb."

Ruth's mother bowed before the tall man. "Thou didst hear the child.
It is as she says--the straw is clean and warm." The tall man bowed
his head. "We shall be very glad to stay," and he helped the
sweet-faced woman down from the donkey's back and led her away to the
cave stable, while the little Ruth and her mother hurried up the
stairs that they might send a bowl of porridge to the sweet-faced
woman, and a sup of new milk, as well.

* * * * *

That night when little Ruth lay down in her bed, the rays of the
beautiful new star shone through the window more brightly than before.
They seemed to soothe the tired aching shoulders. She fell asleep and
dreamed that the beautiful, bright star burst and out of it came
countless angels, who sang in the night:

"Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, good will to men." And
then it was morning and her mother was bending over her and saying,
"Awake, awake, little Ruth. Mother has something to tell thee." Then
as the eyes opened slowly--"The angels came in the night, little one,
and left a Baby to lay beside your little white lamb in the manger."

* * * * *

That afternoon, Ruth went with her mother to the fountain. The mother
turned aside to talk to the other women of the town about the strange
things heard and seen the night before, but Ruth went on and sat down
by the edge of the fountain. The child, was not frightened, for
strangers came often to the well, but never had she seen men who
looked like the three who now came towards her. The first one, a tall
man with a long white beard, came close to Ruth and said, "Canst tell
us, child, where is born he that is called the King of the Jews?"

"I know of no king," she answered, "but last night while the star was
shining, the angels brought a baby to lie beside my white lamb in the
manger." The stranger bowed his head. "That must be he. Wilt thou show
us the way to Him, my child?" So Ruth ran and her mother led the three
men to the cave and "when they saw the Child, they rejoiced with
exceeding great joy, and opening their gifts, they presented unto Him
gold, and frankincense and myrrh," with wonderful jewels, so that
Ruth's mother's eyes shone with wonder, but little Ruth saw only the
Baby, which lay asleep on its mother's breast.

"If only I might hold Hi