68 BETHL EHEI.

and there will I be buried; the Lord do so to me and
more also, if aught but death part thee and me." Surely
Naomi loved the gentle daughter-in-law more than ever,
when she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go
with her, and she said no more of parting. They took up
their bundle and the water-jar and went on together.
 The God whom Kuth had chosen watched over every
step of the way. After two days they came to Bethle-
hem. How Ruth looked around a;s she went by Nao-
mi's side through the city gates at evening. The peo-
ple were there after the day's work, sitting to rest and
talking as in the old time. Some thought that changed
bent widow coming in like a traveller was one they used
to know: "Is this Naomi?" Naomi means pleasant.
" Call me not so," she said; call me Mlara," (meaning bitter,)
"for the Lord has given me bitter days since I left here."
A few words told all her story : I went out full; I come
again empty." Did n't the lonely women and( the bundle
on the staff prove how true it was ?
 There was a bit of land that had belonged to Naomi's
husband; it may be there Naomi found a place where she
and tired Ruth could rest and sleep; and then, when rested,
Ruth began her work. It was in the month of April, the
beginning of barley harvest; and somewhere in the fields
of barley, Ruth, young and strong, could go and work
among the reapers.