always so contented?

HERBORIST. I have no reason not to be.

HADDA PADDA. Have you never been discontented with life?

HERBORIST. Yes, when I deserved it. But when one is kind to every
one, life brings peace and happiness.

HADDA PADDA. Has kindness never taken revenge?

HERBORIST. Kindness does not take revenge. It is only evil that
takes revenge.

HADDA PADDA. Then you have been obedient to your fate?

HERBORIST. What I say is true, my girl. Life treats us as we
deserve. We cannot get rid of our past. Nature is a righteous
judge.

HADDA PADDA. Nature is heartless and blind.

HERBORIST. Nature IS a righteous judge. I shall never forget
something that happened thirty years ago. I lived at the sea-shore
then. One day, when I was washing fish with some other girls, we
saw a woman from the farm take her child by the hand and lead her
out to a jutting rock--when the flood tide came it took her. ...

HADDA PADDA [looking up].