Printed page 15

blame was surely not mine.

Such a condition could cast no shadow either upon me or upon my mother, so well known for tender care of children and domestic order; rather it was her husband transformed into a tiger who now alone arranged everything, directed everything, kept the closest watch over everything, carried out everything, and laughed at everything.

The old maid’s sympathy in my cruel fate could not escape the tyrant’s ever-alert attention.

She was forced to leave the house.

Now there was no secret way to the kitchen, no hand that passed me the piece of bread through the half-open kitchen door, and no longer any pitying sound.

How should I be able to retain my so long tested steadfastness of soul and physical strength?

My powers declined; already I thought myself bound to the altar and the knife raised above my head, when at that very moment Providence drew near.

One Sunday at midday I was charged with watching my half-brother, who stood upon a chair by the window in the father’s chamber, from which one had an unobstructed view into the open.

Several mouldy pieces of bread were put out for me.

While I with