ul" 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 contributes to
pay for the food and drink. It would ill beseem the daughter of Thomas
to be down every evening under the roof of such birds of passage as we
are with thanks for favors received. When each one pays his share
we stand on a footing of give and take; and if either one feels any
particular affection to another it is not strangled by 'thanks' or 'take
it;' it is lov