THE SLEEP WALKERS

In the town where I was born lived a woman and her daughter,who walked in their sleep.

One night,while silence enfolded the world,the woman and her daughter,walking,yet asleep,met in their mist veiled garden.

And the mother spoke,and she said:“At last,at last,my enemy!You by whom my youth was destroyed—who have built up your life upon the ruins of mine!Would I could kill you!"

And the daughter spoke,and she said:“O hateful woman,selfish and old!Who stand between my freer self and me!Who would have my life an echo of your own faded life!Would you were dead!"

At that moment a cock crew,and both women awoke.The mother said gently:“Is that you,darling?"And the daughter answered gently:“Yes,dear."