about a week, she went to Dr. Hü after the service, and said: "Doctor,
your religion is better than mine. I want to be a Christian, but very
unfortunately I have made a solemn vow to idols, and now, if I should
change my faith, these idols would punish me, my children, and children's
children." The doctor assured her that she need not be afraid, since the
idols to which she had made her vow were only wood and stone, powerless to
harm her. She went off comforted, and a few hours later she created
tremendous excitement through the hospital by preparing and eating the
first meal of meat she had had for almost thirty years. Some of the
patients were much frightened, for the vegetarian vow is considered a most
sacred one which, when broken, can never be made again, and they feared
that some dire calamity would overtake her. Nothing worse occurred,
however, than an attack of indigestion, the natural consequence of too free
indulgence in the flesh pots after so many years of abstinence; and the
dauntless old lady announced her intention of enjoying many a similar meal
in the days to come.

Her home was at some distance, and after she left the hospital nothing more
was seen of her until three years later, when she appeared one day,
bringing with her several patients for treatment. She had gained so much
flesh, and looked so well, that she had to tell the doctor who she was.
She said that after she went home, and her vegetarian friends saw the
dishes of meat on her table and realized that she had broken her sacred
vow, they were indignant and alarmed, and would have nothing to do with
her. But within the previous year some of them had gradually begun to come
to see her again. "I felt badly for their ignorance," she said, "but, oh, I
was very glad to have the opportunity to tell them of what you had told me
when I was converted."

At one time a former patient of the doctor's, who belonged to a prominent