Page:Leskov - The Sentry and other Stories.djvu/255

 Rh without bustle. Were there not six water pots at the wedding of Cana, and they were certainly not all filled at the same time, but one after the other. Why Father, even Christ, great wonderworker that he was, first spat on the blind Jew's eyes, and then opened them; but these people are more blind than the Jews. How can we demand much from them all at once? Let them touch the hem of His garment—His goodness is felt, and He will entice them to Himself."

"Come, now, entice?"

"And why not?"

"What improper words you use!"

"In what way are they improper, Vladyko?—the word is quite a simple one. He is our benefactor, and is also not of boyard stock. He is not judged for His simplicity. Who knows His descent? But He went about with shepherds, He consorted with sinners, He had no aversion for a scabby sheep, but when He found one He would take it on His holy back, just as it was, and bear it to the Father. Well, and He—what was He to do? Not wishing to grieve His much suffering Son, He admitted the defiled one into His sheep-fold."

"Very good," I said, "as a catechist, you won't do at all, brother Kiriak, but as a baptizer, though you talk somewhat heretically, you can