"
The eldest bowed to the woman gracefully, and threw aside her cloak;
and at once the others followed her example.
Great was the surprise of the widow. She thought her senses had
departed, and, for an instant, had no voice, no words, naught but wonder
beaming from her eyes, so sudden and great was the surprise. Another
gentle rap at that instant seemed to help her to find herself, and she
was hastening to open it, when the eldest one said, "It is our father,
come to thank you for admitting angels in disguise; for, though not
angels in form, we hope to prove such by our administration to your
needs." And they laid upon her only table the purses of gold.
"He will ever give daily bread to those who forget not to entertain
strangers," said their father to the widow, as they took their leave of
one who had not refused to receive strangers.
The next morning there was great commotion in the neighborhood;
for the widow had been seen to exchange gold for bread at one of the
shops; but greater still was their surprise when she told them, as they
flocked around her dwelling, that it was given by three strangers who
had asked for bread and shelter the night before.
"Three strangers!" exclaimed they all. "They must be the same that called
at our dwellings. What fools we were that we did not let them in!"
"Nay: it but shows how dead you were in sympathy for human need,"
spoke a voice among them, which, as they turned, they found to be that
of the owner of the mansion.
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