"What must I prepare?" he asked, imitating the keeper's solemn tones. "Shall we take the umbrella?"
"What are you thinking of! I am going on horseback and you need not come at all. I could take you up behind me, however."
"No, I will walk, I am never tired," urged the boy, and in a few minutes he was ready, with a little box in his hand and his red cope folded over his arm. As far as he was concerned, he would have liked to take the umbrella too, but he was obliged to obey superior orders.
Whilst he was waiting for the priest in front of the church all the ragged urchins who made of the square their regular playground and battlefield gathered round him curiously without venturing too near, and regarded the box with respect not unmixed with terror.
"Let's go nearer," said one.
"You keep your distance, or I'll let loose the keeper's dog at you!" shouted Antiochus.
"The keeper's dog? Why, you daren't go within ten miles of him!" jeered the urchins.
"Daren't I?" said Antiochus with magnificent scorn.
"No, you daren't! And you think you're as good as the Lord himself because you're carrying the holy oil!"
"If I were you," advised one open-minded youth, "I should make off with that box and perform all kinds of sorceries with the holy oil."