Seeing they could do nothing with him, the monks returned to Father Hierotheus,
“Be straightforward! tell us plainly what do you believe in! The Trinity in Unity or the Trinity in three distinct persons?”
Father Hierotheus remained silent and smiled disdainfully. It was evident that from the height of his learning he looked down upon these simple-minded men, these beggars, with utter contempt.
But the monks—like gnats—assailed him and more insistently.
“Why don’t you reply? are you deaf? Like the slate-coloured dragon, you have stopped up your ears to the counsels of the ancient Church!”
“He has hardened his heart like a Pharaoh!”
“You do not seek to live peaceably with us monks, you think yourself too far above us. You have broken the law of love.”
“Rebel! Tempter of Christians!”
“Back! What do you want of me!” Father Hierotheus at last burst out, his patience exhausted, receding imperceptibly towards the door. “Don’t press me! You will not be called to account for my opinions. Whether I shall be saved or no, what matter is it to you? You live by your lights, we live by ours; we have nothing in common. I pray you let me alone.”
Father Provost, an old man, hoary, thick-built and muscular, brandished his knotty staff in the face of Father Hierotheus: