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Chapter 4

A Lady of Little Faith

visitor looking on the scene of his conversation with
A the peasants and his blessing them shed silent tears and
wiped them away with her handkerchief. She was a senti-
mental society lady of genuinely good disposition in many
respects. When the elder went up to her at last she met him
enthusiastically.
‘Ah, what I have been feeling, looking on at this touching
scene!... ‘She could not go on for emotion. ‘Oh, I understand
the people’s love for you. I love the people myself. I want to
love them. And who could help loving them, our splendid
Russian people, so simple in their greatness!’
‘How is your daughter’s health? You wanted to talk to me
again?’
‘Oh, I have been urgently begging for it, I have prayed for
it! I was ready to fall on my knees and kneel for three days
at your windows until you let me in. We have come, great
healer, to express our ardent gratitude. You have healed my
Lise, healed her completely, merely by praying over her last
Thursday and laying your hands upon her. We have has-
tened here to kiss those hands, to pour out our feelings and

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