t, and the wild herbs round about sprang up swiftly, and soon
the tree was choked by them, and hardly appeared above the brake.
David began to be sorry for the tree, which still kept some life in
it, and struggled as it were feebly to put out its boughs above the
thicket. While he stood he saw the old gardener approaching, and as he
approached he carefully considered the ground. When he saw the tree,
he smiled, and drew it out carefully, and went back to the garden, and
David followed him; he planted it again tenderly in the ground; and
the tree which had looked so drooping and feeble began at once to put
forth leaves and flowers. The gardener smiled again, and then for the
first time looked upon David. His eyes were deep and grave like a
still water; and he smiled as one might who shares a secret with
another. And then of a sudden David awoke, and found the light of dawn
creeping into the cave; and he fell to considering the dream, and in a
moment knew that it was sent for his learning. So he hesitated no
longer, but gave up his will to God.

It was a sad hour for David nevertheless; he walked softly about the
cave, and he put aside what he would take with him, and it seemed to
him that he was, as it were, uprooting a tree that had grown deep; he
tied up what he would take with him, but he left some things behind,
for he thought that he might return. And then he kneeled down and
prayed, the tears running over his face; and lastly he rose and kissed
the cold wall of the cave; at the door he saw the gull that had been
with him so oft, and he scattered some crumbs for it, and while the
bird fell to picking the crumbs, David descended the rock swiftly, not
having the heart to look about him; and then he put his things in the
boat, and rowed swiftly and silently to the shore, looking back at the
great rocks which stood up all bright and clear in the fresh light of
the dawn, with the waves breaking softly at their feet.

David had no fixed plan in his mind, as he rowed across to the land.
He only thought that it was right for him to return, and to take up
his part in the old life again. He did not dare to look before him,
but simply put, as it were, his hand in the hand of God, and hoped to
be led forward. He was soon at the shore, and he pulled his boat up on
the land, and left it lying in a little cave that opened upon the
beach; then he shouldered his pack, and went slowly, with even
strides, across the hill and down to