father's death to provide that food, which in those days was necessary for my sustenance; how she instilled pure, honourable, and holy thoughts into my mind; how she had nursed me through sickness; and how she had cheered me in sorrow; how she had lived; how she had died in peace, in trust, and in confident faith in the future. Through all this history I was listened to with respect, nay, I might say, if I were to judge by their rapt attention, I was listened to with admiration.
But I went on and told them that after my mother's death I felt very lonely, and began to look out for a suitable companion to take my mother's place in my affections. I found one in my Mary, I wooed, I won her; we were married and had a family. When I pronounced the word "married," and said I had a family, I heard a terrible scream, and looking in the direction of the sound I saw my Meda stretched on the floor, looking like a corpse. I rushed towards her to lift her, but the whole company rose and flew at me, as one, and laying hold of
