"Look," she said, "grandfather lying asleep by the fire. So far
away from us--oh, so far! But if we were to go out from the
cave, and on and on to the great mountains where the city of the
sun is, and stood there at last in the midst of great crowds of
people, all looking at us, talking to us, it would be just the
same. They would be like the trees and rocks and animals--so
far! Not with us nor we with them. But we are everywhere alone
together, apart--we two. It is love; I know it now, but I did
not know it before because I had forgotten what she told me. Do
you think I can tell you what she said when I asked her why she
cried? Oh no! Only this, she and another were like one, always,
apart from the others. Then something came--something came! O
Abel, was that the something you told me about on the mountain?
And the other was lost for ever, and she was alone in the forests
and mountains of the world. Oh, why do we cry for what is lost?
Why do we not quickly forget it and feel glad again? Now only do
I know what you felt, O sweet mother, when you sat still and
cried, while I ran about and played and laughed! O poor mother!
Oh, what pain!" And hiding her face against my neck, she sobbed
once more.
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