The Patriarch's face was troubled.
"It is a dangerous game to play at," he said. "What would you say if I told you that you had really baptized them?"
The boy looked at him in amazement.
"But I am not a bishop," he said.
The Patriarch could not help smiling.
"Although the bishop usually does baptize the catechumens," he said, "it is not necessary that it should be a bishop, not even necessary that it should be a priest."
The boy-bishop looked grave, his companions frightened, the Patriarch thoughtful.
"What is your name?" he asked suddenly, laying his hand on the ruddy locks.
"Athanasius," answered the boy.
"What would you like to be?" he asked.