Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/690

Rh die happily with the consolation that father has forgiven his guilty, but penitent, child. O! how I longed for your forgiveness, how I wished I could throw myself at your noble feet and shed sorrowful tears of repentance; but I could not venture to take that step; as I knew you were deeply afflicted with griefs. I can no more live separated from your venerable feet. That flower of feeling in my heart, which was already withered, has been made by your favour to show signs of life and expansion. Can I live separate any more? I will not vex you in the least; I do not wish for authority, riches, or anything else; I only wish I could lie at your feet. I will prepare your hookha, brush your shoe, make your bedding, accompany you in your travels like a servant with your luggage on my head. I declare by your holy feet and those of my deceased mother that I have no other desire in my mind. I shall be content to live like Matadin. Whatever might occur in your house, however I might have to suffer at the hands of others, I will shut my ears—I will close my eyes against it. Mother has left me a beggar—I am in a beggar's state—I shall pass my days in that state. To serve your feet, I will give up everything—I will relinquish every comfort. As a penance for all my former errors, I will lay down my body and life at your noble feet.

'I have one more request to lay before you. If you should be indisposed to keep me with you