things, petted, and kissed him till he fell asleep.  In the morning again, he woke her up early.  He jumped from his bed, threw his arms around her neck and timidly kissed her beautiful lips.  What beautiful moments these were!  Ondrejko was allowed to accompany his mother even when Bacha Filina took her to show her all three sheepfolds.  They walked together over the clearings, looked at the herds of sheep, and spoke with the herdsmen.  She was so friendly and kind to them.  On the other hand, this helped to improve her health.  After such a walk she ate and slept very well.  Ondrejko was glad that she liked Bacha Filina.  He treated her very nicely, just like a lady, as if she were his own daughter.  On Saturday Ondrejko went with his mother to the cottage.  There he was to have dinner with her.  Both of his comrades were invited for the afternoon, and with them, of course, came Dunaj and Fido, but the cat was not afraid of them, and when they saw this they let her alone.

The boy ran joyfully into the room, but on the doorstep he halted, because his beautiful mother sat at a table.  In her hand she held a long letter ready for the mail, and she cried.  Oh, how bitterly she cried!  She was cheered up when he ran to her and began to hug and kiss her; she returned his kisses but did not stop crying.  “Why do you cry so much, my mother?” he said sadly.  “What is it about?”

“About myself, my loved one, because I am very bad.”

Ondrejko would not admit that.  To him, a mother seemed like an angel, but Palko had read only yesterday the saying:  “They all have sinned and come short of the glory of god,” and added that so long as one does not realize this and thinks himself good enough, the Lord Jesus cannot save him, because only sick ones need a doctor; and Bacha Filina had added that only the Holy Spirit can bring a soul to such conviction.  It must be then, that the Holy Spirit had begun to teach his mother also.  Surely the Lord Jesus would soon find her!

“Why do you think, mother, that you are bad?” the boy timidly asked.

“Because I have a very good father, and have grieved him very much.  Look, Ondrejko; I have written now for the first time in many years.”

“And surely you have asked his forgiveness?  Have you not?”

“Yes, I did; but is it possible to forgive such a sinner?”

“The father forgave his prodigal son because he loved him,” the boy said seriously.  “Did your father love you also, my mother?”

The lady sighed sadly, but did not cry any more.

“He would surely receive you if you would return home.”

“I will see if he will answer me, and what he will say.”

“Mother, was not your father my grandfather?”

“Yes, my darling; and if the good Lord grant that I may be able to count you all my own, and you will be only mine, then we will go together, and you will help me to ask him.  He will surely not refuse you; you will understand one another better, because you both love the Lord Jesus and you are His sheep.”