bers and sighs. Perhaps it is the effect of the long day's work, or this time of Levinsky's words, or the squabble between mother and son, he has forgotten. What has he forgotten? Ah—now he remembers!
Ten full years ago, he had, one morning, stood in that same room, over that same bed. the same woman lying in it, potential of these his children, scattered around him. What had he seen there in vision? What
does he see now in reality? Is this his bridal bed? He thought, blind to his thought, warming the uncomfortable disquiet in the core of his soul. "Ten years," ten years," he groans, "Sarah, ten years." A snore answers him, and as he crawls into his bed, he shudders, but he cannot tell why.
His is a work-soul, and it is dumb.
Ruth, Naomi and Orpah
[The following is a paper which was read in a symposium prepared for the Chicago section of the Council of Jewish Women. Mrs. Davis, who is a Zionist, undertakes to present Naomi, Ruth and Orpah in modern garb. The time is 1907, the place, America.]
Naosmı (about to bid farewell to her daughters-in-law. RUTH and OrraH): Dear daughters, I have resolved to return to the land of my fathers. You certainly have heard of the new Jewish spirit that is abroad in the land—the national spirit aroused by the Zionists— which has again stirred the hearts of many to ideal aspirations? This has strengthened my resolution to return to that land which has been asleep these many years and is now awakening to renewed activity under the magic touch of young and willing hands. I, aged and sorrowful, will go to find peaceful rest within its holy borders in the untrammeled practice of our sacred religion; but you, my daughters, are both young and beautiful: remain in this land of your birth, where there is so much light and life and Jjoy— you will yet find happiness in this blessed land of freedom.
ORPAH (embracing NAOMI): Nay, for the love of you, I desire not to leave you. Reared as we were to worship many gods.
you, by your faithful, heroic life, have taught us the simplicity, the beauty and the truth that underlie Judaism, which has indeed become to us dear. However, I love the flag under which I was born and the institutions of this great land, and since you so ardently desire it. I will bow to your superior wisdom and remain among the friends of my youth who will shelter me from the storm and stress of pioneer life; for such would certainly have to be the lot of those who would now abide in the Holy Land. Therefore, while the thought of separation from you is a painful one, mother dear. give me your parting blessing for T would faın have you remain with me in this Jovous land where it has been proclaimed that "America is our Zion and Washington is our Jerusalem.”
NAOMI (embraces and blesses ORPAH, who departs; then turning to RUTH): Beloved daughter, Orpah has returned to her people and to her gods; pray go thou and do likewise. I have no happiness in store for thee.
Rutn (ferventilv): Never, dear mother; “Urge me not to leave thee.” Do you think that in all these years that you have been a mother to me. the seed you have sown has borne no fruit? You have instilled into me not only love for yourself, but love for your religion and the land wherein it was first proclaimed. so that my entire being is filled with