Angels and Women (1924)

CHILD OF THE HERMITAGE
West Bank of the , Euphrates
After , Adam
First i ng Moon--Even
Four Cycles.
T HIS
day completes another year of my
life; its events have made me unusually
thoughtful.
Immediately after the morning sacrifice
Allimades called me to the garden. His
countenance, always serious, was even sad
as we sat down under our favorite cypresstree.
"Aloma, my daughter," he said, "you are
no longer a child; maturing years and experience
will bring to you, as to every human
being, care, perplexity and sorrow. Your
brother, who would have been a companion
and protector, is dead; I buried him at
Balonia. You are alone.
"Shut out from the world in this impenetrable
forest, your life will be eventless,
occupied by the routine of labor and religious
duty; God grant you a tranquil mind.
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