During the experiment Clement prayed earnestly on the bank. When it was over he thanked God in a loud but slightly quavering voice.
By-and-by he asked Jerome whether the man ought not to be compensated.
"For what?"
"For the pain, the dread, the suffocation. Poor soul, he liveth, but hath tasted all the bitterness of death. Yet he had done no ill."
"He is rewarded enough in that he is cleared of his fault."
"But, being innocent of that fault, yet hath he drunk Death's cup, though not to the dregs; and his accusers, less innocent than he, do suffer nought."
Jerome replied, somewhat sternly:
"It is not in this world men are really punished, brother Clement. Unhappy they who sin yet suffer not. And happy they who suffer such ills as earth hath power to inflict; 'tis counted to them above, ay, and a hundredfold."
Clement bowed his head submissively.
"May thy good words not fall to the ground, but take root in my heart, brother Jerome."