"I ask what you are doing here outside my door ?" "I was coming to see you, Padre." "Who told you to come to me ?" "Don Clemente." The Abbot was silent, and studied the kneeling man for some time; then he grumbled something incomprehensible, and offered him his hand to kiss.
"Rise!" said he, still sharply.

"Come in.

Close the door." When Benedetto had entered the Abbot appeared to forget him.

He put on his glasses and began turning over the leaves of a book and glancing through the papers on his desk.

In an attitude of soldierly respect, holding himself very erect, Benedetto stood, waiting for him to speak.
"Maironi of Brescia ?" said the Abbot, in the same unfriendly tone as before, and without turning round.
Having received an answer he continued to turn the pages and read.
Finally he removed his glasses and turned round.
"What did you come here to Santa Scolastica for ?" said he.
"I was a great sinner," Benedetto answered, "God called me to withdraw from the world, and I withdrew from It." The Abbot was silent for a moment, his gaze fixed upon the young man, and then he said with ironical gentleness: "No, my friend!" He took out his snuff-box, shook it, repeating "No, no, no," rapidly and almost under his breath; he examined the snuff, dipped his fingers into it, raised his eyes once more to Benedetto's face, and, emphasising each word, said: "That is not true!" Grasping the pinch with his thumb, his forefinger, and his middle finger, he raised his hand swiftly, as though about to throw the snuff into the air, and, with his arm suspended, continued to speak.
"It is probably true enough that you were a great sinner, but it is not true that you withdrew from the world.