Page:Anandamath (Dawn over India).djvu/231

 But where shall we go? We certainly could not be happy at home, thus abandoning our Mother's service."

"That is certainly farthest from my mind. We are no longer householders. We shall ever remain ascetics. And we shall ever observe strictest continence. Come, let us travel all over India, visiting the holy places of pilgrimage."

"What shall we do after that?"

"After that? Yes, after that we shall build ourselves a little cottage on the Himalayas. There we shall pass our days in prayer and meditation—in the service of God. We shall ask direct from Him the boons that are best for Mother India and for all her children; and also for Mother Earth and for all her children the world over."

Shanti and Jiban arose from the steps. Hand in hand they walked away. Singing the Bande Mataram they soon disappeared out of sight.