Looking around in silent contemplation of the interior of the grotto, Loyola broke the silence in a solemn voice: "I greet thee, secret retreat, where, as formerly in the cavern of Manres, I have often meditated, and matured my purposes!" He then sat down upon a nearby stone, crossed his hands over his staff, leaned his chin upon his hands, let his eyes travel slowly over his disciples, who, impassive as statues stood beside him, and, after an instant of silent meditation resumed: "My children, I said to you this evening: 'Come!' You came, ignorant of whither I was leading you. Why did you follow me? Answer, Xavier. To hear one of my disciples is to hear them all—to hear one of them to-day, is to hear all those who are to follow them from age to age—all will be but the distant echoes of my thought."
"Master, you said to us: 'Come!' We came. Command, and you shall be obeyed."
"Without inquiring whither I led you; without even seeking to ascertain what I might demand of you? Answer, Lefevre."
"Master, we followed you without reflecting—without inquiring."
"Why without reflecting, without inquiring? Answer, Lainez."
"The members of the body obey the will that directs them; they do not interrogate that will; they obey."
"Xavier," resumed Loyola, "plant your candle in some interstice of that boulder. Lefevre, deposit your bundle at your feet. It contains your sacerdotal vestments and the articles necessary to celebrate the holy sacrifice of the mass."
Francis Xavier planted the lighted candle firmly between two stones. Lefevre deposited his bundle on the ground. The other disciples remained standing, their eyes lowered. Still keeping his seat, and with his chin resting on the handle of his staff, Loyola resumed:
"Francis Xavier, when I first met you on the benches of the University—what was then your nature? What were your habits?"
"Master, I was passionately given to the pleasures of life."