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The priests held the clean brushes forin his hands I snatched up a brush for the red color which I then mixed hite paste, until it was the appropriate color of flesh

"Isn't that a miracle!"

"That's just the point," said the Elder between clenched teeth "It's a miracle, Brother Ivan, and he will do what God wills "

"He won't wall hi

as I' with me into the wild lands "

I burst out laughing "Father," I said sneering at him "My place is here "

"He's the best shot in the fa with me into the wild lands," said my Father to the others, who had flown into a flurry of protests and negations all around

"Why do you give Our Blessed Mother that tear in her eye, Brother Andrei?"

"It's God who gives her the tear," said one of the others

"It is the Mother of All Sorrows Ah, see the beautiful folds of her cloak "

"Ah, look, the Christ child!" said my Father, and even his face was reverent "Ah, poor little baby God, soon to be crucified and die!" His voice was for once subdued and alift Oh, but look, look at the child's eyes and his little hand, at the flesh of his thumb, his little hand "

"Even you are touched with the light of Christ," said the Elder "Even such a stupid violent man as you, Brother Ivan "

The priests pressed in close around me in a circle My Father held out a pal jewels "For the halos, Andrei Work fast, Prince Michael has ordained that we go "

"Madness, I tell you!" All voices were set to babbling at once My Father turned and raised his fist

I looked up, reached for a fresh, clean panel of wood My forehead ith sweat I worked on and on