“She is the Princess of the Jewel, and I weep jewels. I shed them for her. Once there was a time . . . . that I wept pearls. . . . O father, let me go!”
“Go, then. . . . And do penance.”
“Thanks, father. . . . Oh, give me your blessing!”
The hermit blessed her. She went then as a pilgrim in her penance-garb. The path was steep and covered with thistles.
In the distance was heard the song of the shepherds.
