“I clasped his hand silently.  He took his things, then ran down along the path into the thicket.  Bending over beside the cross I tried to see him once more—­and I did.  He lifted his beautiful face marked with deep sorrow toward the valley where he could see our hut for the last time.  Suddenly tears gushed from his eyes.  I wanted to make a step forward, wanted to call him back, to leave everything to him, and I go to America.  But there was no strength in me.  So I let him go for ever.  We never saw him again.”

Bacha cried aloud again, and Palko with him.

“Uncle, tell me all, to the end,” he begged after a while.  “Then what about his poor mother?  How did you tell her about it?”

“I didn’t have to tell her, my boy,” said Filina as he calmed down.  “He took care of all that.  Mother had a distant relative who came to us the third day and brought everything that Stephen should have brought from the city; also a letter from him, wherein he begged our parents not to be angry with him because he was thus leaving for America.  In that letter he again made no mention that it was I who drowned him in the depths of sorrow.  It was a very beautiful letter.  We treasured it as a keepsake, and when mother was dying the poor dear asked me to have it placed in her coffin.  I endeavored to make good to her the son she lost.  After father passed away, mother blessed me many times for the good care she enjoyed, but it did not bring peace to my heart.

“The distant relative who brought to us Stephen’s letter intended to go to America himself.  He had already bought the ticket, when circumstances hindered him from going.  He complained to Stephen that he could not go, and Stephen asked him to sell the ticket to him.  He borrowed some money from him on his part of the inheritance.  This we had to repay later, because that ship never reached its goal.  It sank in a storm.  Thus you see, Palko, that after all, I had drowned my brother.  If he had not run away from my presence he might have found another girl and could have lived till today.  Thus he died, and his death accuses me before God’s face for my selfishness.  Verily, God’s punishment came upon me soon.  I enjoyed my happiness but a short time.  From the time that the message reached us about the sinking of the ship, Eva just pined away, and after the death of our son, she died.  In her fever, not knowing what she said, she told how she loved Stephen, and I realized that her longing for him made her perish by my side.  Well, now they are both gone and I only am here—­all alone.”

“And your son, where is he?”

“Him also the good Lord took.  When his mother died there was no one who could give him the necessary care.  He took cold, and in three days he was also with God.  Now I have told you everything, my boy.  I have confided all to you, but you do not understand.”