"I did indeed send some, my child, but they never reached you. I was
on the banks of the Ganges at the time, but shortly afterwards I went
farther into the country, towards the north, attempting to penetrate a
defile in the Himalayas. There the savages seized me and made me a
slave. For years I have served in the most menial and degrading
capacity; my tired back often bruised with their lashes, and only the
stony ground on which to rest. At length I escaped on horseback, and
succeeded in reaching the Mongolian steppes. There I have been
wandering about, with various tribes, for two years; have tended their
flocks and performed the commonest labor; all the time trying to teach
them the Gospel. But only the spirit of unrest reigned within me, and
an intense longing impelled me to turn my face homeward. So I took my
staff and passed on foot through Siberia, into Russia, begging my way
from door to door. I, who possess hundreds of thousands! Finally I
reached Sarepta, ragged and barefooted, and almost dead from
exhaustion. There the Brothers wanted me to remain with them, to be
nursed and cared for; but this uncontrollable longing did not suffer me
to tarry. After reaching Europe I felt as if I was on the threshold of
home, and I grew more impatient than ever. I obtained a loan of money
from the Brothers, and was thus enabled to ride the rest of the
journey, and get some suitable clothing; but I sickened on the road and
was forced to lay up in a Polish town, where I remained until nearly
all my money was gone. Afterwards I was again obliged to travel on
foot--and here I am. Now all will go well, since I am again at home,"
he concluded, smiling contentedly at the last thought.

Sister Agatha had, meanwhile, brought refreshments for the weary old
man. What a heart-felt joy, this first meal with his daughter in the
old familiar room! And how much he had to relate, while regaling
himself, of wonders and adventures in distant lands! It was very late