'My wife's sick of a fever. It might be worth my while to see if he could save further additions to my doctor's bill.'
A third:
'I've a cousin who's deformed--can't do anything for himself--a burden on all his friends. Now, if he could be made like the rest of us, what a good thing it would be for everyone concerned!'
A fourth:
'My father's suffering from some sort of brain disease. It's not enough to enable us to declare him legally insane, but it's more than sufficient to cause him to let his business go to rack and ruin. We don't know where it will end if the thing goes on. If this worker of wonders could do anything to make the dad the man he used to be!'
There were others who told similar tales. Soon they came to where He sat, each with his own petition. When he had heard them to an end, He said:
'You ask always; what is it you give?'
They were silent, for among them were not many givers. He said further:
'He among you who loves God, his prayer shall be answered.' Yet they were still. 'Is there not one who loves Him?'
One replied: