Page:Leskov - The Sentry and other Stories.djvu/251

 Rh "Well, we are both baptized, so that is very good—that is like a ticket given us for a feast; we go to it, and know that we are invited, because we have a ticket."

"Yes."

"Well, and then we see that alongside of us another man is wandering thither, but without a ticket. We think, what a fool! It is useless for him to go—he will not be allowed to enter! When he arrives the door keeper will turn him out. We come there and see the door-keeper wants to turn him out, as he has no ticket, but if the master sees him, perhaps he will allow him to enter—he will say: It does not matter that he has no ticket—I know him even without a ticket; you may enter—and he leads him in and behold, he shows him more honour than to many another who comes with a ticket."

"Is that what you instil into them?"

"No, why should I instil this into them? It is only to myself I argue thus, of Christ's goodness and wisdom."

"Yes, but do you understand his wisdom?"

"Vladyko, how can we understand it? It can't be understood, but I only say what my heart feels. Whenever I have anything I ought to do, I ask myself: Can I do this to the glory of Christ? If I can, then I do it, if I cannot,—then I do not do it."