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FRAGMENTS OF A PRISONER'S DIARY
morc congenial and distractive than domestic drudgery might lift a little the dreadful gloom hanging over his sister's life. He began teaching her to read and write ; and, while imparting the increst rudiments of it, talked more about the benefit of modern cducation. The family, of coursc, did not look upon the procedure very kindly. According to tradition, the girl, in her state, sinould not take interest in anything of this world; she should devotc hersclf to the sacred memory of the dead husband and to the service of the living relatives. However, not much attention was paid to the matter in the beginning. Let the unfortunato creature be consoled a bit. The whole life was still ahead of her,-to work out her karina. Besides, thanks to his “high" education, and particularly his sojourn in the town, the young man had acquired a certain amount of authority even in the eyes of the elders.
Before long, the next step was taken. The girl was persuaded to acconipany her brother out of the house ; the two were often seen walking rather happily in the ncighbouring ficlds and woods. What an unpardonable thing on the part of a widow ! To be happy! When she had just been condemned by Providence to a life of mourning, sorrow, privation and service! But the fat was in the fire. The young man had told the girl everything he had scen, heard and learned in the town. She avidly drank of the fascinating picture 194
