When he saw his father lying with his eyes open, he asked indifferently, "Shall I stay here or go to morning worship ?" "Let us pray here together," begged the father.

"Who knows how long it may yet be granted to us to do so?
I am not far from the day that no evening ever closes.

Kneel down here, and let me kiss the image of the Crucified." Hermas did as his father desired him, and as they were ending their song of praise, a third voice joined in the 'Amen.' "Paulus!" cried the old man.

"The Lord be praised! pray look to my wound then.

The arrow head seeks to work some way out, and it burns fearfully." "The new comer, an anchorite, who for all clothing wore a shirt-shaped coat of brown undressed linen, and a sheep-skin, examined the wound carefully, and laid some herbs on it, murmuring meanwhile some pious texts.
"That is much easier," sighed the old man.