He handed me the tiny leather-covered book, but I could not see the print; the haze before my eyes was too thick. I returned the book to him, and asked him to read one of the Psalms. Quite at haphazard, I am sure, he turned to the ninety-first, and this is what he read:
"Whoso dwelleth under the defence of the Most High; shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
"I will say unto the Lord, Thou art my hope, and my stronghold: my God, in him will I trust.
"For he shall deliver thee from the snare of the hunter: and from the noisome pestilence.
"He shall defend thee under his wings, and thou shalt be safe under his feathers: his faithfulness and truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
"Thou shalt not be afraid for any terror by night: nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
"For the pestilence that walketh in darkness: nor for the sickness that destroyeth in the noon-day.
"A thousand shall fall beside thee, and ten thousand at thy right hand: but it shall not come nigh thee.
"Yea, with thine eyes shalt thou behold: and see the reward of the ungodly.
"For thou, Lord, art my hope: thou hast set thine house of defence very high.