"Stand up, Three Legs," said Ezra, putting his lamb on the ground and showing Naomi its pitifully shrunken limb. In naming it "Three Legs" Ezra was following the custom of the shepherds who called their charges by any peculiarity they might possess, such as "Black Ear" or "Long Tail." "I mean to make a little wagon and teach Three Legs to draw it. And if he is not able to do that, I shall sell him for whatever I can get." "Oh, no, Ezra," said Naomi whose tender heart was touched by the forlorn little animal. "He is sick, he is not able to draw a wagon. Give him to me and let me take care of him." Ezra shook his head. "I will sell him first," said he with determination. "I will not give him away." "Sell him to me!" cried Naomi; "sell him to me!" The lamb had toppled over in a little heap and was looking patiently and with half-closed eyes into Naomi's face bent above him. It seemed to the little girl that she would gladly give her dearest possession if she might have the lamb for her own to nurse and care for. "Sell him to me, Ezra. I will give thee anything thou mayst ask." "What hast thou to give?" asked Ezra shrewdly. He felt sure the lamb could never draw a wagon, and the prospect of selling a sick animal was small. "Anything thou mayst ask," was Naomi's reckless answer. The lamb had put out a limp pink tongue and was licking her fingers. "Thy poppies?" Ezra had heard his aunt say that very day, "I need poppies sorely for my brew for the palsy, and not a single one has bloomed in the khan garden this year." Surely four poppies would be worth a rich cake or two, or perhaps even a piece of money. "My poppies?" Naomi looked aghast. "My poppies? All four? Why, there is just one apiece! Father and Mother, thou and Jonas! My poppies?" The lamb stirred and with a little sigh of content snuggled his nose into the palm of Naomi's hand. "Take them!" Naomi stood up and gathered the lamb in her arms. "Take them, only let me not see thee." She turned her back upon Ezra and shut her eyes. Quickly he gathered the flowers and ran out of the garden. Naomi opened her eyes. She gave one look at her despoiled flower-bed and bent again over the lamb. "I am glad, Three Legs," said she warmly. "Thou art much better than many poppies, thou poor little creature, and I am glad I did it. I am glad!" CHAPTER II ONE SABBATH It was Sabbath morning, and Naomi and her mother and Ezra were on their way to the synagogue. They chose back streets as they went, and they met only women and children on their way, for the front roads on the Sabbath day were given up to the men. Naomi was happy as she walked quietly along holding fast to her mother's hand, for she wore her new hyacinth-blue robe that her mother had spun and her father had woven for her. Ezra had other thoughts, and presently he whispered in Naomi's ear: