I would rather, had I my wish, see thy wisdom installed somewhere nearer the metropolis--at Troe or Canopus, for example--where thou mightest be at hand to fight the Lord's battles.

Why wert thou taught worldly wisdom, but to use it for the good of the Church?
It is enough.

Let us go.' And the two old men walked homeward across the valley, little guessing the practical answer which was ready for their argument in Abbot Pambo's cell, in the shape of a tall and grim ecclesiastic, who was busily satisfying his hunger with dates and millet, and by no means refusing the palm-wine, the sole delicacy of the monastery, which had been brought forth only in honour of a guest.
The stately and courtly hospitality of Eastern manners, as well as the self-restraining kindliness of monastic Christianity, forbade the abbot to interrupt the stranger; and it was not till he had finished a hearty meal that Pambo asked his name and errand.
'My unworthiness is called Peter the Reader.

I come from Cyril, with letters and messages to the brother Aufugus.' Pambo rose, and bowed reverentially.
'We have heard your good report, sir, as of one zealously affected in the cause of the Church Catholic.

Will it please you to follow us to the cell of Aufugus ?' Peter stalked after them with a sufficiently important air to the little hut, and there taking from his bosom Cyril's epistle, handed it to Arsenius, who sat long, reading and re-reading with a clouded brow, while Pambo watched him with simple awe, not daring to interrupt by a question lucubrations which he considered of unfathomable depth.
'These are indeed the last days,' said Arsenius at length, 'spoken of by the prophet, when many shall run to and fro.