The Pilgrim of the Night 23

him remember that true and faithful service
was better than any prayer that could be
uttered in words.

“ Master,” replied Isidore, “ what you say
is true, but it is also true that no time is
ever lost in prayer. Those who pray have
God to work with them, and the ploughshare
which He guides draws as goodly and fruit-
ful a furrow as another.”

This the master could not deny, but he
resolved to keep a watch on Isidore’s comings
and goings, and early on the morrow he went
to the fields.

In the sharp air of the autumn morning
he saw this one and that one of his men
sullenly following the plough behind the
oxen, and taking little joy in the work.
Then, as he passed on to the rising ground,
he heard a lark carolling. gaily in the grey
sky, and in the hundred-acre where Isidore
was engaged he saw to his amazement not
one plough but three turning the hoary
stubble into ruddy furrows. And one
plough was drawn by oxen and guided by
Isidore, but the two others were drawn and
guided by Angels of heaven.

When next the master spoke to Isidore it