Page:Leskov - The Sentry and other Stories.djvu/336

 320 and their place shall know them no more. But, gentlemen, what I think, especially tactless—is that some of these highly placed or broad-minded personages, as it is now the fashion to call them, do not notice our modesty, nor do they value it. Verily, this is ingratitude; they have no right to reproach us with being patient and quiet. If we were more impatient, God knows, many would not be sorry for it, more especially those who do not consider work, nor admit of man's wounds, but having waxed fat, reason idly as to what they ought to begin to believe, in order to have something to reason about. Gentlemen, reverence at least the holy modesty of the Orthodox Church, and understand that she has truly maintained the spirit of Christ, if she suffers all that God wills her to suffer. Truly her humility is worthy of praise; and we must wonder at her vitality and bless God for it.

We all involuntarily answered:

"Amen."