Page:Leo Tolstoi - Life Is Worth Living and Other Stories - tr. Adolphus Norraikow (1892).djvu/69

 62 now living in the mill, having been employed by the merchant. We are well paid and have the best of food, but have no children of our own to gladden our home.

"I could not live now without these dear little girls. I love them very dearly, as I have no one else to love in all the wide world."

As she finished speaking she tenderly pressed the lame girl to her side with one hand, while with the other she dried her tears, which were slowly coursing down her cheeks.

Sighing deeply, Matreona said: "How true is the proverb that 'we can live without father and mother but we cannot live without God!

While they were thus speaking among themselves a brilliant light seemed suddenly to come from the corner where Michael was seated. All eyes were instantly turned in that direction, and this is what they saw: Michael sitting with his hands resting on his knees, his eyes looking heavenward, while a beautiful smile illumined his countenance.