splendid, kind father let me go sadly. I had half-a-year more
school to complete, and one more examination. My dear parents rejoiced
that then I would be wholly their's, because they had only me, and for
me they worked and saved. My Uncle agreed with me in everything. Like
me, he did not want to enter the narrow path which leads to glory.
With the conclusion of the school-year, my study of singing also
ended, and I returned home with the intention of persuading my parents
to permit me to enter the opera--that means, to become a singer. More
than half-a-year I fought at home with pleas and tears, but in
vain. My father was wonderfully patient and kind to me. Mother
and grandmother were often not so patient, but, like these grand
mountains, they would not move, nor could anyone move my father to
break his word that he would never give me permission to go. Well,
what he did not give me, I took myself."

"What did you do?" compassionately asked Bacha. The lady broke out
crying.

"I left home, leaving a letter behind saying that I loved the world,
in which and for which, I wanted to live, and I loved the glory of the
world and did not want to bury myself on the farm. I ran away to my
Uncle's. My dear father came at once for me. He begged and pled, but I
didn't want to go back with him, and did not do so.

"'When you find out that the world is as vain as soap-bubbles, and
your heart is full of disillusionment, ready to despair, then remember
that you have a father and a home to return to,' said father. 'Until
that time you cannot count yourself one of us. We are standing on two
different paths: the one we go on is narrow and leads high; the other,
which you have chosen, is broad and will lead you from the heights to
a deep abyss. Our prayers will surround you always like a fiery wall.
I know that you will have to suffer much evil and much sorrow, but our
prayers will prevent you from sinning as grievously as you will see
others do around you.'

"Those were his last words. Oh, Bacha Filina, I went over that broad
path. In a short time I was a famous singer. The people carried me on
their arms. Though I was a simple farmer's daughter, because of the
courses of the good schools which I had attended, the doors of high
society opened to me, and I, like the prodigal, very soon forgot my
parents, and especially my good father. Then Lord Gemer came into my
life, and I married him, being ready to leave everything for him, even
my