earnestly.

"'Then I shall be slaying your daughter, and that would be a crime.'

"Something in my tone attracted Broodviol's notice.

"'That was spoken, not selfishly, but magnanimously. Therefore the
male must have spoken it, and you need not trouble further. Before
you arrive home, the child will be a boy.'

"My father walked away out of sight. My mother bent very low before
Broodviol for about ten minutes, and he remained all that time
looking kindly at her.

"I heard that shortly afterward Alppain came into that land for a few
hours daily. Broodviol grew melancholy, and died.

"His prophecy came true--before we reached home, I knew the meaning
of shame. But I have often pondered over his words since, in later
years, when trying to understand my own nature; and I have come to
the conclusion that, wisest of men as he was, he still did not see
quite straight on this occasion. Between me and my twin sister,
enclosed in one body, there never was any struggle, but instinctive
reverence for life withheld both of us from fighting for existence.
Hers was the stronger temperament, and she sacrificed herself--
though not consciously--for me.

"As soon as I comprehended this, I made a vow never to eat or destroy
anything that contained life--and I have kept it ever since.