“‘My Lord Father,’ said Jesus, ‘if you will permit me to descend to the earth I will try and convert him.’
“‘Go, my dear son.’
“And the good Jesus descended. Dressed like an apprentice, his tool-bag on his back, the divine workman alighted right in the street where Eloi dwelt. Over the blacksmith’s door was the usual signboard, and on it this inscription:
“‘Eloi the blacksmith, master above all other masters, forges a shoe in two heatings.’
“The little apprentice stepped on to the threshold and taking off his hat:
“‘God give you good-day, master, and to the company,’ said he; ‘have you need of any help?’
“‘Not for the moment,’ answered Eloi.
“‘Farewell then, master: it will be for another time.’
“And the good Jesus continued his road. In the street he saw a group of men talking, and Jesus said in passing:
“‘I should not have thought that in such a smithy, where there must be, one would think, so much doing, they would refuse me work.’