CHAPTER VII.
The pope said a grand mass for them, and at the gospel he enters the pulpit, a burly figure of a man with sad eyes.
"The blessing of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost be with you and about you, Amen.
"It is not to you, Nicolo Polo, that I wish to speak, nor to you, Matthew Polo, for neither of you are my ambassadors to the Great Khan.
Merchant and sportsmen, I honor you, and you have my blessing, but you have no hopes of mine.

The dirty diversions of the world are between your eyes and glory," said he.

"It's only myself, an old and sorrowful man, and this child, a young and hopeful one, can understand; old men having sight of visions, and young men dreaming dreams...
"Now in the matter of converting the Great Khan and his numerous millions, first let wisdom speak.

I have little hopes.

He wants to be argued into it, you see.