His friend after some deliberation gave it in charge to a faithful servant to take to the metropolis. A suffering child there would be much more likely to be overlooked, “and you,” he said, “will be able to look after it.”
As the student and the clerk were about to set out on their way to the metropolis his friend took him apart.
“My sister tells me that I had sunk into apathy when you came.”
“Yes.”
“And that you called me back?”
“Yes.”
“How can I thank you! had it not been for you I should never have enjoyed life again. I am grateful to you.”
“Do not say grateful to me, but rather to that power which does for you all your life that which I do for you momentarily now. And even now it is not to me that you should be grateful, but to him, for it is only because he has enabled me to do so that I have taken of your pain.”
With this he took farewell of his friend, and with the clerk proceeded on their way.
They had not got very far when a train of servants came up behind them. They stood by on one side, but from the midst of his attendants a youth stepped forward.