“Are we to understand,” said the vicar, speaking very slowly, “that you expect supernatural powers to be given you?”
“I don’t know. I cannot say.” A light broke over the gentle face. “But a way will be found.”
“How do you know that?” said the vicar.
“It has been communicated to me.”
“Is that to say,” the vicar sternly demanded, “that you are about to claim plenary powers?”
Before the young man answered the question he covered his eyes with his hands. Again he stood in an attitude of curious listening intensity. The doctor thought he could hear a wind, very faint and gentle, stirring in the upper air, but to the vicar it was the sound of water flowing by Burkett’s farm.
The vicar repeated his question.
“I am to claim nothing,” said the young man at last.
“You do not claim to be a Buddha or a Messiah, or anything of that kind?” said the vicar, compressing stern lips.
Again there was silence. Again the young man closed his eyes.