Glad am I to have one with me after many days." He waited for no answer, and I followed him for the few steps that led to the rock cavern; and there was a tiny oratory with its altar and cross, and wax lights already burning.
The old man knelt in his place and I knelt with him, and as he began the office straightway I knew how worn out I was, and of a sudden the lights danced before me and I reeled and fell with a clatter and clash of arms on the rocky floor.

I seemed to know that the old man turned and looked and rose up from his knees hastily, and I tried to say that I was sorry that I had broken the peace of this holy place; but he answered in his soft voice: "Why, poor lad, I should have seen that you were spent ere this.
The fault is mine." He raised me gently, and seemed to search me for some wound.

And as he did so I came more to myself, and begged him to go on with his office.
"First comes care of the afflicted, my son, and after that may be prayer.

In truth, to help the fainting is in itself a prayer, as I think.

Come to the fireside and tell me what is amiss." "Fasting and fighting and freezing, father," I said, trying to laugh.
"Are you wounded ?" he asked quickly.
"No, not at all." "That is well.