ng
known of her desire to enter the convent as a novice and become a nursing
sister; but though he had devoted his whole life to a similar impulse, he
had more than once positively refused to accede to her wishes, for he
must ere long be gathered to his fathers and then her mother, while she
survived him, would want some one else to wear herself out for.

Just now "Pul" was longing less than usual to take the veil; for she had
found in Paula a being before whom she felt small indeed, and to whom her
unenvious soul, yearning and striving for the highest, could look up in
satisfied and rapturous admiration. In addition to this, there were under
her own roof two sufferers needing her care: Rustem, the wounded
Masdakite, and the Persian girl. Neforis, who since the fearful hour of
her husband's death had seemed stunned and indifferent to all the claims
of daily life, living only in her memories of the departed, had been more
than willing to leave to the physician the disposal of these two and
their removal from her house.

In the evening after Paula's arrival Philippus had consulted with his
friends as to the reception of these new guests, and the old man had
interrupted him, as soon as he raised the question of pecuniary
indemnification, exclaiming:

"They are all very welcome. If they have wounds, we will make them heal;
if their heads are turned, we will screw them the right way round; if
their souls are dark, we will light up a flame in them. If the fair Paula
takes a fancy to us, she and her old woman may stay as long as it suits
her and us. We made her welcome with all our hearts; but, on the other
hand, you must understand that we must be free to bid her farewell--as
free as she is to depart. It is impossible ever to know exactly how such
grand folks will get on with humble ones, and as sure as I long to be
quit of this piece of lumber I might one day take it into my head to
leave it to the owls and jackals and fare forth, staff in hand.--You know
me. As to indemnification--we understand each other. A full purse hangs
behind the sick, and the sound one has ten times more than she needs, so
they may pay. You must decide how much; only--for the women's sake, and I
mean it seriously--be liberal. You know what I need Mammon for; and it
would be well for Joanna if she had less need to turn over every silver
piece before she spends it in the housekeeping. Besides, the lady herself
will be more comfortable if she contribu