I responded fervently that nothing could be a greater kindness to myself than the sense of one bestowed on him.
"Very well, then, will you give us the Fifty-first Psalm to sing at the morning service—it always seems to me that it is the soul's staple food; and let us begin with the fifth verse—
"'Behold, Thou in the inward parts
With truth delighted art.'
It falls like water on the thirsty heart. And perhaps, if your previous selection will permit, you would give us in the evening the paraphrase—
"'Come let us to the Lord our God
With contrite hearts return.'
My mother first taught me that," he added, with the first quiver of the lip I yet had seen, "and I have learned it anew from God."
He then swiftly departed, little knowing that he had given me that night a pillow for both head and heart. I fell asleep, his great quotations and his earnest words flowing about my soul even as the ocean laves the shore.
