Портрет художника в юности
Chapter 3
Hewentfromcountrytocountryintheeast,fromAfricatoIndia,fromIndiatoJapan,baptizingthepeople.Heissaidtohavebaptizedasmanyastenthousandidolatersinonemonth.Itissaidthathisrightarmhadgrownpowerlessfromhavingbeenraisedsooftenovertheheadsofthosewhomhebaptized.HewishedthentogotoChinatowinstillmoresoulsforGodbuthediedoffeverontheislandofSancian.Agreatsaint,saintFrancisXavier!AgreatsoldierofGod!
Therectorpausedandthen,shakinghisclaspedhandsbeforehim,wenton:
—Hehadthefaithinhimthatmovesmountains.TenthousandsoulswonforGodinasinglemonth!Thatisatrueconqueror,truetothemottoofourorder:ADMAJOREMDEIGLORIAM!Asaintwhohasgreatpowerinheaven,remember:powertointercedeforusinourgrief;powertoobtainwhateverweprayforifitbeforthegoodofoursouls;powerabovealltoobtainforusthegracetorepentifwebeinsin.Agreatsaint,saintFrancisXavier!Agreatfisherofsouls!
Heceasedtoshakehisclaspedhandsand,restingthemagainsthisforehead,lookedrightandleftofthemkeenlyathislistenersoutofhisdarksterneyes.
Inthesilencetheirdarkfirekindledtheduskintoatawnyglow.Stephen’shearthadwithereduplikeaflowerofthedesertthatfeelsthesimoomcomingfromafar.
