He traced much of his ready command of the language to having been compelled to listen so often to the wearisome harangues of Miriam's mother.

Sometimes the father would be overcome by the mother's entreaties and would take away the girl, but after awhile he would bring her back again, to the great joy of those who feared they had lost her altogether.

This state of things continued two or three years, while Miriam's mind was daily improving and her character unfolding, and hopes were often entertained that the Spirit of God was carrying on a work of grace in her soul.
One day her father came to the missionary, and asked him to loan him several thousand piastres (a thousand piastres is $40,) with which he might set up business.

This was of course refused, when he went away greatly enraged.

He soon returned and took away his daughter, saying that Protestantism did not pay what it cost.