My father is a stupid, coarse man--my brother also--and a drunkard, besides.

My oldest sister--unhappy, wretched thing--married a man much older than herself, very rich, a bore and greedy.

But my mother I am sorry for! She's a simple woman like you, a beaten-down, frightened creature, so tiny, like a little mouse--she runs so quickly and is afraid of everybody.

And sometimes I want to see her so--my mother!" "My poor thing!" said the mother sadly, shaking her head.
The girl quickly threw up her head and cried out: "Oh, no! At times I feel such joy, such happiness!" Her face paled and her blue eyes gleamed.

Placing her hands on the mother's shoulders she said with a deep voice issuing from her very heart, quietly as if in an ecstasy: "If you knew--if you but understood what a great, joyous work we are doing! You will come to feel it!" she exclaimed with conviction.
A feeling akin to envy touched the heart of the mother.