The flush of Murmuring’s face was even deeper as she answered, “She has been lying there for months, unable to do her work, and yet I have not turned her out of my house or asked for rent. Am I expected to feed her like a princess while she lies there idle and have all the expense of hiring another person to do the work of her shameless husband who has brought disgrace on our home?”

“You know the answer to those questions yourself,” said the Shepherd, and this time his voice was stern, almost terrifyingly so, but it softened again as he added, “And I repeat, it is hard for a rich person to know anything about real love.”

“And so,” cried Murmuring passionately, “and so you come here with the demand that we throw it all away—everything that we have worked for and gained through our own industry and toil!”

“Yes,” said the Shepherd, rising to his feet. “Yes, Murmuring, cast it all away. It is damning you. It is hardening your heart. It is poisoning you through and through. Cast it away; for what shall it profit you if you gain the whole world and lose your own soul?”

“I won’t,” said Murmuring, suddenly losing control of herself and stamping her foot. “I won’t. I tell you nothing on earth shall allow you to take away from us that which is rightly ours. Nothing at all!” she repeated fiercely. “All this belongs to me—and you shall never take it from me!”

The pity and compassion in his face, and the stubborn fury in hers, were a sight to see.

“I must tell you, Murmuring,” said the Shepherd in quiet, compassionate tones, “before I leave, I must tell you that if you will not learn now the utter futility and uselessness of setting your heart on earthly riches, you will have to learn it in some other and harder way. For how can I leave you,” he added almost under his breath, “bound as a helpless, miserable slave to your money and possessions when you were made for the liberty and joy of Love?”

Then he looked straight across the room at her husband, who all this time had stood silent, with his eyes fastened fearfully and yet entreatingly on the Shepherd’s face, and said, “Bitterness, come you after me.” He then turned and walked out of the room.

Bitterness took one step after him; then his wife caught hold of him, weeping hysterically, clinging to him with all her might. “Don’t go!” she shrieked. “Think of our children! Think of me! You will lose everything. He demands all.”

Her husband stood still, leaned his head against the wall and groaned as though in agony. “It is too hard,” muttered the poor rich man desperately. “It is so hard that it is impossible.”