Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/688

Rh you of my afflictions; I had a great mind this time, therefore, to throw myself at your feet, and determine the good or evil turn of my unhappy luck. But cruel destiny has shattered this unfortunate person's that unhappy luck into a thousand pieces.

'But for your kind treatment, O my merciful father, the loss of my affectionate mamma would have rendered me quite helpless,—would have made me shed incessant tears and wander about the streets like a motherless child, as I am. Since I was separated from the protection of your feet, I was living under the shelter of my mother's feet,—was solacing my bereft heart with the sweet calls of 'mamma', but when that mother ascended to heaven, leaving her unfortunate son in this world of trouble, when I was feeling a blank vacancy all about me, at that disastrous moment you were pleased to give this unhappy child shelter under your noble feet. That kindness of yours gave me strength to bear through the grief for my mother. Could I ever hope even in dream, that you would show so much kindness to this unlucky fellow. I believed that this unhappy person's lamp of fortune had been put out for ever. This time, I ventured to stand before you, was encouraged to speak to you though only a few words, was permitted to sleep on the second floor of your house; one evening, when I was asking for lunch, you were downstairs,—the words reached your ears, and you at once called out to Hemlata,