fame. He promised me that even when I was his wife, he would agree
to my keeping on with my singing. He kept that promise while we were
in America and Italy. But in his native country it was impossible.

"And then everything began to turn out just as my dear father
foretold. But I don't want to talk about that. I just wanted to say
that I am that prodigal son."

"That you are, my lady, but only half-way; because the son returned,
and you haven't returned yet."

"No, you are right. I haven't returned yet. When I had forsaken the
man who betrayed me, I was ashamed, for I was forsaken, betrayed, and
robbed of all means to return home. When I asked my uncle to help me,
though he sent me some money, he also sharply admonished me either to
return to my husband or to go back to my parents and do penance, but
this I did not want to do. It seemed to me that all sinned against me,
and I only was innocent. I had to live. And so I began to sing again,
though with a broken heart. In a short time I had the world again
lying at my feet, but, being so forsaken, I soon recognized its whole
rottenness. How right my father was; I could not sin as I saw others
around me doing. Therefore I had to suffer much till I could go on no
longer. Since my health broke down, I cancelled my contract and betook
myself to search for my son. I wanted to see him, at least once more,
before I died. That is all."

"That is not everything," said Filina kindly with a smile as he
rose. "The end will be only when the daughter returns, first to her
heavenly, and then also to her earthly father. He that received me,
will surely receive you too. But now come and go to rest, and think
how perhaps in a distant land your father is praying just now for you,
and that the heavenly Father loved us so much that He gave His only
Son for us. Goodnight!"

In a little while the stars shone down upon a quiet place while the
people slept.

CHAPTER EIGHT

The doctor came the next day, just as Bacha Filina had expected him.
He came in his coach as far as the sheepcotes, and before Ondrejko
realized it, he carried away his mother, and also Bacha Filina. Before
they went they arranged for Ondrejko to remain longer with Bacha, and
he would go to his mother only for visits.

"Palko, take the boys," commanded Bacha, "and go with them somewhere
in the woods where nobody will interfere, and pray that the Lord God
may help us to successfully arrange for what we have be