ave for America to bring his wife here. When he has
sold his farm there, he will at once return to his birthplace to leave
it no more." Bacha's eyes were full of tears when he gave the message,
but added, "Is not that very joyful news?"

Who can describe the joy that prevailed after that? Ondrejko hugged
his mother and grandfather and nestled next to Bacha Filina. "We shall
all stay at home, at home with Bacha Filina. We shall not go into the
distant foreign world. Oh, we remain in our mountains. Even Palko will
be here with us," he said.

"Yes, my son." The grandfather drew the boy close to him. "We shall
remain at home. We shall live here together with the Lord Jesus and He
with us."

After a while the campfire began to die down. The voices subsided.
Only in the distance the thunder rolled, the lightning flashed, but
above the sheepcotes shone the clear stars. Around the buildings Bacha
Filina made his rounds, watching that no danger threatened anywhere,
and again at the bench--as once long ago--he stopped. This time, the
father and daughter sat there together; no longer a prodigal, she had
returned first to the heavenly, and then to the earthly father. She
had come home and was accepted. He wanted to step aside, but they had
been waiting for him.

"We knew that you would pass by," said Slavkovsky, and made room for
his brother beside himself. "Mary has a request to make of you."

"Me?" Bacha was surprised.

"Yes, you, my dear Uncle. Cease to be 'Bacha.' Come among us. You
shall have the supervision of things; be one family with us," the lady
begged with her whole heart, but Bacha shook his head.

"I thank you, my daughter," he spoke, deeply moved, "I would love to
make one family with you because you are all very dear to me; but do
not take me away from my calling. Once I started as an unhappy man,
and this occupation cheered me in my sorrow. I grew up with the sheep,
with the work and with nature about me. Now when the heavens have
opened above me, leave me at this heaven's gate. Do not let it vex you
that you have a rich estate and I am but a poor 'Bacha.' All that I
need for my living, I shall earn honestly. I have somewhere to live,
and you love me; I am no more alone. You will come to visit me and
I will visit you, especially when you, my brother, return. Only one
thing I ask of you, if you have more than you need for your living,
send Palko to school. His father grieves that he is not able to do it
for