He took courage and greeted her.  The lady aroused herself, opened her big eyes, and in surprise looked at the boy timidly drawing near.

“Good morning,” greeted Ondrejko.  “I am bringing you the whey, but surely too late.  However, I have hurried quite a bit, therefore please do not be angry at me.”

“Do you bring me my breakfast?” the lady asked astonished.  She arose and took the heavy crock out the hand of the boy.  “It must be very heavy for you.”

“It was not,” said Ondrejko, more at ease, as he fastened his beautiful eyes on the lady’s face.  Oh, how happy he was that finally he too could see her, and that she talked with him and even took him by the hand.

“And what is your name?”

“Ondrejko,” he replied.

“And do you live here at these sheepfolds?”

“Yes,” said he, “I live with Bacha Filina.  I like it very much.”

The lady walked with the boy and he carried the crock.  She was small in stature, but every movement reminded one of a princess.

“Why did not Petrik or Palko bring this whey?” she asked, to start a conversation with Ondrejko.

“We change about,” said he.

“Change about?  But I have never seen you before.”

“I have carried the whey already three times, but you have always been asleep,” said Ondrejko.

“So, I have always been asleep during your visits?  Therefore I will not leave you quickly today.  You must rest with us.  Look, Aunty is already waiting.”  The lady stopped and almost joyfully handed the crock to Aunty Moravec.

“Look who brought the whey for us today, but you are already acquainted.  We have seen each other for the first time now!  Please prepare a good breakfast for my guest.”  The hands of Aunty shook somewhat when she received the crock, and she hastened to heat the whey at once.

Who could have told Ondrejko how the Lord Jesus would answer his prayer?  Petrik saw the lady only in the kitchen, but she took him into her room.  How beautifully she had things arranged there!  A plush sofa and arm-chair, and many such things as they had in the castle de Gemer were in the room.  He was permitted to sit with her on the sofa and look over a large book with photographs, all of beautiful lands and cities.  She pointed them out and named them.

“And you have been in all these places?” he dared to ask.

A sad expression clouded her face.  “Yes, I have, Ondrejko, but now I have only one wish—­to remain forever in these mountains and never again have to look at that evil, deceitful world outside.”

After a while Aunty brought breakfast.  Ondrejko had to sit down at the beautifully-covered table.  He was used to praying before eating in the hut, so he did it now also, and in the joy which overflowed his heart, he added, “I thank Thee, dear Lord Jesus, that You have so kindly answered me.”