"It's been about seven years. Pen "Fun" Ge www.biquge.info When I was 12 years old, he came back from China. ”

"Ah, yes! He was a missionary, and he was famous there. Have you been his student ever since?"

He began teaching me a year later, and it was around that time that I first confessed to him. After I entered Sabincha University, he continued to tutor me in my studies - things I wanted to learn but couldn't learn in the main class. He was very kind to me - you can't imagine how kind he was to me. ”

"I believe it very much. There is no one who does not admire this - he is of high character and mild-mannered. I met some of the missionaries who went to China with him and praised him for his perseverance, courage, and unwavering devotion to his adversity. When you were young, you were fortunate to have such people to help and guide you. I learned from him that you have lost both parents. ”

"Yes. My father died when I was younger, and my mother passed away last year. ”

"Do you have any siblings?"

"Nope. I have two older half-brothers, but they were already in business when I was still an infant. ”

"You must have had a lonely childhood, and perhaps it is for this reason that you cherish the kindness of Father Montagneri even more. By the way, during his absence, have you already chosen a confessing priest?"

"I thought about going to one of the priests of St. Caterina, if they didn't have too many penitants there. ”

"Will you repent to me?"

Arthur's eyes widened in surprise.

"Dear Father, of course I should be glad, but—"

It's just that a seminary dean doesn't usually accept secular confessors. This is not false at all. But I know that Father Monteri is very attentive to you, and that it seems to me that he is a little reassuring about you - and I will be equally reassured if I leave a beloved student behind - that he will be happy to see you receive spiritual guidance from one of his colleagues. And to be frank with you, my child, I like you and I am willing to do my best to help you. ”

"If you say that, I'd certainly appreciate being able to be guided by you. ”

"How about you next month? If you have time in the evening, my child, you can come and see me. ”

Shortly before Easter, Montageri was officially appointed bishop of the diocese of Brisigera, in the Apennine Mountains of the Etruscan region. With a happy and calm mood, he wrote a letter to Arthur from Rome. His melancholy was clearly gone. "You must come to see me every holiday," he wrote in the letter, "and I will go to Pisa often." Even if I can't see you as often as I would like, I'd like to see you a few more times. ”

Dr. Warren had invited Arthur to his house to celebrate Easter with him and the children, so that he would not have to return to the dreary, rat-infested mansion of lavish old mansion, where Julia now ruled the scene. Attached to the letter was a note in which Jomma begged him in childish and irregular calligraphy to go as far as he could, "because I want to talk to you about something." What is even more encouraging is that the students at the university are connected to each other, and everyone is preparing for the big move after Easter.

All of this puts Arthur in a kind of anticipation. In this case, the most unrealistic fantasies spread among the students seemed to him to be natural, and it was quite possible that they would come true in two months' time.

He arranged to go home on a Thursday of Good Friday, where he was going to spend the days before the holiday. In this way, the joy of visiting the Warren family and the joy of seeing Jouma did not prevent him from attending the solemn religious meditation ceremony, which the church requires all congregants to participate in during this season. He wrote a reply to Joma, promising to come to her house on Easter Monday. So he walked into the bedroom on Wednesday night with a solemn heart.

He knelt down before the cross. Father Cardi had promised to receive him the next morning, and because it was his last confession before Easter communion, he had to pray long and earnestly to prepare himself. He knelt there, his hands clasped together and his head bowed. He looked back on what had been done in the past month, and counted the minor sins of impatience, carelessness, and impatience, which had left a faint stain on his pure heart. Other than that, he found nothing. During this month, he was so happy that he didn't have time to commit too many sins. He drew a cross on his chest, then stood up and began to undress.

As he unbuttoned his shirt, a note floated out of it and landed on the ground. It was a letter from Jomma, who had been tucking it around his neck all day.

He picked it up, unfolded it, and kissed the affectionate scribbles.

Then he folded the paper again, and vaguely felt that he had done something very ridiculous, when he noticed a few postscripts on the back of the letter, which he had not read before. "Be sure to come as soon as possible," it reads, "because I want you to meet Pola." He has always lived here and we read books together every day. ”

As he read these words, a rush of blood welled up on Arthur's forehead.

What was he doing in Lechen? Why did Jomma want to study with him? Did he charm Jomma by smuggling? It was obvious at the meeting in January that he was in love with her, and that was why he was so enthusiastic about propaganda. Now he's right in front of her - reading with her every day.

Arthur abruptly threw the letter aside and knelt before the cross again. This is the soul ready to ask Christ for forgiveness, ready to receive the Eucharist of Easter - the soul that wants to live in peace with God and with itself and with the world!

And the other party turned out to be a comrade! He was so ashamed that he couldn't help but cover his face with his hands. It was only five minutes ago that he dreamed of being a martyr. Now he felt guilty for such a vile and filthy thought.

When he walked into the chapel of the seminary on Thursday morning, he saw Father Cardi alone. He recited the prayer of repentance and then began to speak of the sins he had committed the night before.

"My priest, I accuse myself of the sin of jealousy and hatred, and I have unclean thoughts against a man who is not at fault with me. ”