"father! father! do not say such dreadful things to me. i am still your obedient child. indeed, i am. however stupid i may be, i should never be able to curse any one who belonged to you, much less pray for the death of one you love. surely some one has been telling you lies, and you are dazed, and you know not what you say or some evil spirit has taken possession of your heart. as for me i do not know no, not so much as a dew-drop, of the evil thing of which you accuse me."