Abbot Spiridion 205

The monk trembled when he heard those
words, for he knew that his scornfulness
had been discovered, and he followed the
Abbot in great confusion. In the garden
they found the lay-brother planting cab-
bages.

“Ts our brother the Fool alone?” asked
the Abbot.

“Our brother is alone, father,” replied
the monk.

Then the Abbot touched the monk’s eyes,
and straightway he saw that the lay-brother |
was not alone: beside him were two radiant
child-angels, one of whom held for him a
basket containing the young plants, and the
second walked to and fro playing on a lute
to lighten his labour. Then, overwhelmed
with shame, the monk fell on his knees, con-
fessing his sin and promising amendment.

More strange than this is the story I have
now to tell. It happened through mischance
that fire broke out in the abbey, and the
flames were spreading so fiercely from one
wattled cell to another that there was great
danger of the whole monastery being de-
stroyed. With piteous cries the religious
surrounded the Abbot, and besought him to