“The doctor told me that my lord had wronged you.  I do not ask more.  Everyone of us has enough of his own sins.  God sees us and knows us.  Do not judge that ye be not judged.”  The deep voice of Filina sounded almost gentle.  He shook her hand and left.

* * * * *

“Uncle Filina!  Did you already return from the city?” sounded a voice from the clearing where he went to look at the flock.  Palko ran to meet him.  In his hand he carried a basket full of beautiful mushrooms.

“I was not in the city, Palko; but what are you doing here?” Filina was cheered with Palko’s presence and sat down on an old log overgrown with moss.  The boy joyfully threw himself down on the deep mossy cushions.

“I carried a letter to Stephen which the forester’s boy brought for him from his mother.  It cheered him very much.  She had been sick, but now she writes to him herself.  Praise the Lord!”

“I am very glad of that; she is a good woman.  And the son which has no mother has no home anywhere,” said Filina.  “Where did you find these mushrooms?”

“They are beautiful, aren’t they?  Oh, I just happened to see them.  Joe said he would cook the stew for supper.  They will fit in well.”

“Yes, they will.  Pick out the best ones, and take them to the ladies this afternoon, in your cabin.  Perhaps they will like them.”

“Shall I really go for the lady?  Will it not be too far for her yet?” thoughtfully asked the boy.

“I think not, but you must go slowly.”

“But she is still so weak, Uncle.”

“I know it; I have just left her.”

“Is that so?  You saw her?  And you just came from there?  Did you stop there on the way from town?”

Bacha was silent for a moment as if deciding something.  Then he fastened his eagle eyes on the boy’s face.  “Palko, I am going to tell you something.  God grant that you may help me in a very difficult thing.”

“I would love to, Uncle.  Just tell me.”

“The master of these sheepfolds is Ondrejko’s father.  You know that; do you not?”

“Yes, I know it.”

“And the beautiful lady there, is his mother.”

“What did you say!” Palko jumped up at once and sat down again.  “But how is it that they are not together, and that Ondrejko is not with them?”

“They had parted, and he took another wife many years ago.”

“And the Lord Jesus permitted that?  It seems to me that He said, ’It should not be so.’”

“You know, Palko, the world does many things that the Lord God forbids—­even this.  I know it is a sin, but it is already that way and it cannot be changed now.  The lady, before De Gemer took her, was a famous singer in America.  She must have been very beautiful because she is still so today.  He brought her to Europe to his family.  They were displeased with him because the lady was not of noble birth.  They did not treat her well,