How, aftersceneslikethis!Iwouldgoupstairs, andstandbeforetheicons, andsaywitharapturousfeeling,“GodblessPapaandMamma!”andrepeataprayerformybelovedmotherwhichmychildishlipshadlearnttolisp—theloveofGodandotherblendingstrangelyinasingleemotion!
, peaceful, andhappy, ? Theywereallofthemvague, , also, therewouldbesomefavoritetoy—achinadogorharestuckintothebed-cornerbehindthepillow, anditwouldpleasemetothinkhowwarmandcomfortableandwellcared—, IwouldprayGodtomakeeveryonehappy, sothateveryonemightbecontented, , andthoughtsanddreamswouldbecomejumbledandentangledtogetheruntilatlastIsleptsoundlyandpeacefully, thoughwithafacewetwithtears.
Doinafterlifethefreshnessandlight-heartedness, thecravingforloveandforstrengthoffaith, everreturnwhichweexperienceinourchildhood'syears? Whatbettertimeisthereinourlivesthanwhenthetwobestofvirtues—innocentgaietyandaboundlessyearningforaffection—areoursoleobjectsofpursuit?
Wherenowareourardentprayers? Wherenowareourbestgifts—thepuretearsofemotionwhichaguardianangeldrieswithasmileasheshedsuponuslovelydreamsofineffablechildishjoy? Canitbethatlifehasleftsuchheavytracesuponone'sheartthatthosetearsandecstasiesareforevervanished? Canitbethatthereremainstousonlytherecollectionofthem?
快乐的，快乐的，不再回来的童年时代啊！怎能不让我热爱和珍视对你的回忆呢？这些回忆让我精神亢奋、心灵欢快，是我无限乐趣的源泉。
