0ne afternoon Raffaelle took Luca by the hand and said to him,"Come."

He led the young man up to the table, beneath the unglazed window,where he had passed so many of these ninety days of the spring andsummer.

Luca gave a great cry, and stood gazing, gazing, gazing. Then hefell on his knees and embraced the little feet of the kid: itwas the first homage that he, whose life became one beautiful songof praise, received from man.

"Dear Luca," he said softly, "do not do that. If it be indeedgood, let us thank God."