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, walk-
ing, 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 and 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 daugh-
ter answered gently, "Yes, dear."