"Don't you find that your circumstances influence your conduct? Don't you find that they prevent you from doing yourself justice?" "Always." "In this college, you have found no kindred spirit?" "That may be my fault." "More likely your misfortune--and misfortunes are not faults, no matter what fools say. Note that. Note also that misfortunes may be overcome.--But, they do not understand you here?" "No." "They mock you?---- They do. Why did they mock you to-day?" "They did not mock me to-day." "Yesterday?" "Because I carry those two cans full of water up two-hundred-and-two steps every day." "Do you mean to say that there are no baths in this college yet?" "We may have footbaths once a week, if we apply to the infirmarian. There is nothing else. And I like to tub decently." "No doubt they say that you must be a very unclean person to need so much washing?" "Sanctity, You are quoting the rector." The Pope abruptly laughed. "Have they ever put a snake--a snake--in your water-cans?" "No they have not done that." "They did in Ours." The distance between the two now became considerably lessened. The fastidious person began to feel more at ease. His fastidy evidently was only a chevaux de frise for the discomfiture of intruders; and this delicate tender inquisitor was no intruder, but a very welcome--Apostle. The Pope continued. "Isn't it very absurd?" "It is very absurd. Also, it is very disconcerting." "Of course you try not to let it disconcert you?" "I try: but I fail. My heart always is on my sleeve; and the daws peck it. At present, I am trying to contain myself and to use myself in isolation." "That they call 'sulkiness'?" "Yes." "How much longer must you remain here?" "Perhaps one year: perhaps two." "Can you persecute, can you hold out so long?" "Oh, I will hold out. Nothing shall deter me. Sanctity, it is not that which makes me afraid." "Dear son, what makes you afraid?" "The afterwards. These people are to be my superiors or equals--colleagues for life. I am not afraid of poverty or wickedness among the people to whom I am to minister: but, my brother-priests--I shall be at the orders of some of these people, my rectors, my diocesans even. That makes me afraid." "Did you not know what kind of people----" "Yes, I did know: but I did not realize it till I came here." "Yet you choose to persevere?" "Sanctity, I must. I am called." "You are sure of that?" "It is the only thing in all the world of which I am sure." "Do you always live on bread and water?" "Yes." "Why?"