Page:Leskov - The Sentry and other Stories.djvu/230

 214 and He to whom all hearts are opened sees that it is too hard and above my feeble strength. I can't."

And with these words he fell at my feet.

I raised him and said:

"Do not bow down to me but explain. Have you received a revelation? Is that it? Or have you conversed with God Himself?"

He answered with meek reproach:

"Do not laugh at me, Vladyko, I am not Moses, the chosen servant of God, that I should converse with the Almighty. It is a sin for you to think that."

I was ashamed of my anger, and relenting towards him said:

"What is it then? What is the matter?"

"The matter is evidently that I am not Moses, Vladyko, that I am timid and know the measure of my strength. Out of heathen Egypt I can lead them—but I will not be able to cleave the Red Sea, or lead them out of the wilderness and will only cause simple hearts to murmur to the great offence of the Holy Ghost."

Noticing the imagery of his animated speech, I began to think that he was himself one of the sectaries and asked him:

"What miracle has brought you into the bosom of the Church?"