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It was, hefelt, right, and a fortunate thing to be alive this morning; justto
be alive. Only his face shining as from within remained.
That has been one
remote result, said Father Xavier half tohimself. That is not it, but it is how
words put it. Hisvoice now came floating in from his little bedroom just
beyond.
Bonnyfeather to convey to you if I thought it wise to do so. The
swallows dippedand left rings in the shallows. Anthony had taken a few whiffs
of the pipe. I remember some days I think it would take ten years to
tellabout.
Anthony was sitting up now clasping his knees and thoroughly
awake.
He stayed a minute looking fixedly atAnthony.
I must pick up the captain
too at an inn near here.
Yet there was something tangible about them.
He looked
down and saw his own hand on his knee andfelt it.
I have some things I must
talk to you about.
And it was in this grotto I spent a year alone as a novice.
He too could draw near to the table and partake witheverybody. It was true that
he could not really hear them. Come, my son, I shall receive you as I am
sureyou deserve, letter or no letter. He lifted the pipe rapidlyand brought a
lighter. Yes, FatherXavier looked that way tonight. Somethingalready had begun
to remain outside. Anthony was sitting up now clasping his knees and thoroughly
awake. Dont leave me stranded, mate, he addedanxiously, I cant swing the lingo,
you know. In the valleys of the Bsagnio and Polcevera anopalescent fog had
already begun to gather.
He was afraid he MIGHThear them again, at night.
A
quarter of a mile farther brought them to the doorof a small inn. Mywife and
ten children, my aged mother, my two aunts .
It seemed improbable that the
priest couldever find the way to his own room again.
Afterwards they couldhave
supper, more wine, return late, or make a night of it.
You canalways take a
drink and make it NOW. I am sorry to have given youpain, said Anthony.
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