Page:Leo Tolstoi - Life Is Worth Living and Other Stories - tr. Adolphus Norraikow (1892).djvu/71

 64 something to eat you smiled on her so sweetly, and at once became brighter. Again, when the nobleman came and ordered the boots, you smiled a second time, and from that time on you became still brighter. Then you smiled for the third time when the woman came bringing the little girls with her, and you were brighter than before, while a beautiful light shone about you. Tell me where the wonderful light came from, and why you smiled those three times."

Michael answered:

"The light that enveloped me was a token from God that he had forgiven me the sin for which he had punished me. I smiled three times, for it was necessary for me to learn three of God's great truths. The first I learned when your wife had pity on me, and therefore I smiled the first time. The second great truth I learned when the rich man ordered the boots, so I smiled the second time. Through the little children I learned the third truth, and I smiled the third time."