Mine is hardly a sense of duty, it is a sense of sonship." "And do you believe it is your duty to exercise the religious action here and now ?" Benedetto clasped his hands, as if already imploring attention.
"Yes," said he, "here also, and now." When he had spoken he fell upon his knees, his hands still clasped.
"Rise," said the Holy Father.

"Utter freely what the Spirit shall dictate." Benedetto did not rise.
"Forgive me," he said, "my message is to the Pontiff alone, and here I am not heard by the Pontiff only." The Pope started, and gave him a questioning glance, full of severity.
Benedetto, looking towards a door behind the Pope, raised his eyebrows, and slightly lifted his chin.
His Holiness seized a silver bell which stood on the table, commanded Benedetto by a gesture to rise, and then rang the bell.

The same priest as before appeared at the door of the Gallery.

The Pope ordered him to summon Don Teofilo to the Gallery; Don Teofilo was the faithful valet whom he had brought with him from his archbishopric in the South.

Upon his arrival the priest himself was to await His Holiness in the halls of the Library.