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Chapter 4

A Lady of Little Faith

A

visitor looking on the scene of his conversation with

the peasants and his blessing them shed silent tears and

wiped them away with her handkerchief. She was a senti-

mental society lady of genuinely good disposition in many

respects. When the elder went up to her at last she met him

enthusiastically.

‘Ah, what I have been feeling, looking on at this touching

scene!... ‘She could not go on for emotion. ‘Oh, I understand

the people’s love for you. I love the people myself. I want to

love them. And who could help loving them, our splendid

Russian people, so simple in their greatness!’

‘How is your daughter’s health? You wanted to talk to me

again?’

‘Oh, I have been urgently begging for it, I have prayed for

it! I was ready to fall on my knees and kneel for three days

at your windows until you let me in. We have come, great

healer, to express our ardent gratitude. You have healed my

Lise, healed her completely, merely by praying over her last

Thursday and laying your hands upon her. We have has-

tened here to kiss those hands, to pour out our feelings and