What a fool you made of that monk in the market-place! He had not a word to say. WISE MAN. [_Comes from his desk and stands among them in the middle of the room._] Pupils, dear friends, I have deceived you all this time. It was I myself who was ignorant. There is a God. There is a Heaven. There is fire that passes, and there is fire that lasts for ever. [_TEIG, through all this, is sitting on a stool by the door, reckoning on his fingers what he will buy with his money._ A YOUNG MAN [_to _Another_]. He will not be satisfied till we dispute with him. [_To the WISE MAN._] Prove it, Master. Have you seen them? WISE MAN [_in a low, solemn voice_]. Just now, before you came in, someone came to the door, and when I looked up I saw an angel standing there. A YOUNG MAN. You were in a dream. Anybody can see an angel in his dreams. WISE MAN. Oh, my God! It was not a dream! I was awake, waking as I am now. I tell you I was awake as I am now. A YOUNG MAN. Some dream when they are awake, but they are the crazy, and who would believe what they say? Forgive me, Master, but that is what you taught me to say. That is what you said to the monk when he spoke of the visions of the saints and the martyrs. ANOTHER YOUNG MAN. You see how well we remember your teaching. WISE MAN. Out, out from my sight! I want someone with belief. I must find that grain the Angel spoke of before I die. I tell you I must find it, and you answer me with arguments. Out with you, out of my sight! [_The _Young Men_ laugh._ A YOUNG MAN. How well he plays at faith! He is like the monk when he had nothing more to say. WISE MAN. Out, out! This is no time for laughter! Out with you, though you are a king’s son! [_They begin to hurry out._ A YOUNG MAN. Come, come; he wants us to find someone who will dispute with him. [_All go out._ WISE MAN. [_Alone; he goes to the door at the side._] I will call my wife. She will believe; women always believe. [_He opens the door and calls._] Bridget! Bridget! [_BRIDGET comes in wearing her apron, her sleeves turned up from her floury arms._] Bridget, tell me the truth; do not say what you think will please me. Do you sometimes say your prayers? BRIDGET. Prayers! No, you taught me to leave them off long ago. At first I was sorry, but I am glad now for I am sleepy in the evenings. WISE MAN. But do you not believe in God? BRIDGET. Oh, a good wife only believes what her husband tells her! WISE MAN. But sometimes when you are alone, when I am in the school and the children asleep, do you not think about the saints, about the things you used to believe in? What do you think of when you are alone? BRIDGET [_considering_]. I think about nothing. Sometimes I wonder if the linen is bleaching white, or I go out to see if the crows are picking up the chickens’ food. WISE MAN.