e. He told her the truth."

"Oh, then take me with you, because I have made her very sad--till she
almost died."

"I don't care. Come, then. Surely the Lord Jesus wants it so."

* * * * *

No matter how long Ondrejko Gemersky lives he will never be able to
forget how it was when the doors in the cottage opened and a beautiful
lady in a light blue dress, the color of forget-me-nots, stepped out.
In her hands she carried a broad hat, but she dropped it with a cry,
"My Ondrejko!" as she ran toward them. He flew like an arrow to meet
her.

"Mother, my mother!"--and already held her around the neck. She,
kneeling, hugged him to her breast. They both cried, and Palko with
them.

"Oh, mother, my mother, how I love you! Verily I am yours, and surely
you will keep me now," begged Ondrejko with tears. He stroked the
beautiful face and forehead of the lady.

"Yes, you are mine." She jumped up. "I will not give you up any more
to anyone, anyone in the world. But no, come, my son, we have to go to
Bacha Filina. He will take care of it, that no one can take you away
from me."

Surely Ondrejko will never forget this, nor how they walked together
to the sheepcote, how well they were received there, what a good time
they had that afternoon and evening, because Ondrejko's mother slept
together with Aunty Moravec in his hut. Bacha counted on that. He took
counsel with Aunty and sent Stephen to the cottage to bring whatever
was necessary for the lady, especially sheets, covers, etc. Thus
Ondrejko sat beside his mother in the evening when Joe roasted the
lamb over the fire, and Petrik helped Aunty to cook soup in the pot.

Bacha told them about the life at the sheepcotes, and many interesting
things from his experiences with the flocks. Then they had supper
together, there in the open. Then they sang the evening song, prayed,
and Palko read from his Book. At Filina's request he read the 15th
chapter of the Gospel of Luke, about a good shepherd, about a woman
who lost her coin, and about a prodigal son who had a good father, but
nevertheless ran away from him, and how badly he fared in the world
until he returned to his father. During the reading Palko made many
beautiful remarks, as he usually did. They all loved to hear him. When
he closed, only the fire crackled, and the stars in the heavens were
sparkling like a multitude of eyes. The moon lit up the tops of the
mountains and woods. Often one of