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No, I would not disturb you in what I may callyour faith, in the comfort she
has brought you. Captain Elisha on his part soon ceased to regard the kindly
priestas a foreigner.
I have been busy upon the errands of my order. All
thepeople, the house, the books, the benign and sedate Mr. I must pick up the
captain too at an inn near here.
God knows Iwould give you more preparation.
They emerged into the court and took their way rapidly to thegarden. You must
tell me about yourself, father, said Anthony. You forgot the origin of them and
so you did notsee things, and men themselves.
Bonnyfeather to convey to you if
I thought it wise to do so.
Even with only one candle and a littlemoonlight
Anthony felt at home in the place immediately.
I met a priest in Canton oncet
that had a whole school o Chineeorphans.
I had prayed for this but it is notto
be given to me.
It seemed to be uttering the letter R for minutes at a time.
He
had seen a deeply concealed but unsolvedtrouble effervesce in humour like that
before.
Seemed like that poor fellow died jes to make us betteracquaint, he
averred finally. Then he saw the two fingers on Father Xaviers breast move. I
am sorry to have given youpain, said Anthony. The northern races, you know, do
not have a talent forreligion. All had gone well with Anthony in the matters of
this world. Downat the far gate tossed the scarlet pompons on the mules
bridles. In the house, he thought, in the house, before we left thismorning. He
too could draw near to the table and partake witheverybody. The words recurred
to him with startling clearness. The words recurred to him with startling
clearness.
They looked at each otherlong and silently in the low twilight.
I
have been busy upon the errands of my order. They shouted back at him but hedid
not understand.
His brain had merely slipped the cogs of timebackward some
twenty years and transported him hence.
Father, said Anthony suddenly,
interrupting him, I must talk toyou now.
I remember some days I think it would
take ten years to tellabout. It was a river of darkvegetation in sinister
spate.
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