“Yes, yes; I know, I know. You have suffered, and it is not for me to reproach you. The novitiate has its great joys, but it has its great trials also. Self has to be got rid of, faith has to be exerted, obedience has to be learned, and, above all, the heart has to be detached from its idols in the world--a devoted mother, it may be; a dear sister; perhaps a dearer one still.” There was silence for a moment. John's head was down; he could not speak. “That you wish to return to the world only shows that you came before you heard the call of God. Some other voice seemed to speak to you, and you listened and thought it was God's voice. But God's voice will come to you yet, and you will hear it and answer it and not another---- Have you anywhere to go to when you leave this house?” “Yes, the home of a good woman. I have written to her--I think she will receive me.” “All that you brought with you will be returned, and if you want money----” “No, I came to you as a beggar--let me leave you as a beggar too.” “There is one thing more, my son.” “What is it, Father?” The old man's voice was scarcely audible. “You are breaking obedience by leaving us before the end of your novitiate, and the community must separate itself from you, though you are only a novice, as from one who has violated his vow and cast himself off from grace. This will have to be done before you cross our threshold. It is our duty to the Brotherhood--it is also our duty to God. You understand that?” “Yes.” “It will be in the church, a few minutes before midday service.” The Father rose to go. “Then that is all?” “That is all.” The Father's voice was breaking. “Good-bye, my son.” “Good-bye, Father, and God forgive me!” A leather trunk which John had brought with him on the day he came to the Brotherhood was returned to his room, containing the clothes he had worn in the outer world, as well as his purse and watch and other belongings. He dressed himself in his habit as a clergyman, and put the cassock of the society over it, for he knew that to remove that must be part of the ordeal of his expulsion. Then the bell rang for breakfast, and he went down to the refectory. The brothers received him in silence, hardly looking up as he entered, though by their furtive glances he could plainly see that he was the only subject that occupied their thoughts. When the meal was over he tried to mingle among them, that he might say farewell to as many as were willing that he should do so. Some gave him their hands with prompt good will, some avoided him, some turned their backs upon him altogether.