Now I understand what he meant! I met him after the battle and he told me that my father was dead.

When he parted from me, he said he was of all sinners the greatest, and that I should hear it said down in the oasis.
But I know better; he is great-hearted and good, and I will not bear that he should be disgraced and slandered for my sake." Hermas had sprung up with these words, and as he met the astonished gaze of his hosts, he tried to collect himself, and said: "Paulus never even saw Sirona, and I repeat it, if there is a man who may boast of being good and pure and quite without sin, it is he.

For me, and to save me from punishment and my father from sorrow, he owned a sin that he never committed.

Such a deed is just like him--the brave--faithful friend! But such shameful suspicion and disgrace shall not weigh upon him a moment longer!" "You are speaking to an older man," said Petrus angrily interrupting the youth's vehement speech.

"Your friend acknowledged with his own lips--" "Then he told a lie out of pure goodness," Hermas insisted.