"'Yet even in church would I laugh, Oh Lord,' the devil objected.
"'Jesus Christ Himself laughed.
"'God go with you!' at length He said. 'Then let folk laugh even in church—but QUIETLY.'
"In such wise did Christ convert those four evil devils into devils of goodness."
Soaring over the green, bushy sea were a number of old oaks. On them the yellow leaves were trembling as though chilled; here and there a sturdy hazel was doffing its withered garments, and elsewhere a wild cherry was quivering, and elsewhere an almost naked chestnut was politely rendering obeisance to the earth.
"Did you find that story of mine a good one?" my companion inquired.
"I did, for Christ was so good in it."
"Always and everywhere He is so," Kalinin proudly rejoined. "But do you also know what an old woman of Smolensk used to sing concerning Him?"
"I do not."
Halting, my strange traveller chanted in a feignedly senile and tremulous voice, as he beat time with his foot: