“That you wish to return to the world only shows that you came before you heard the call of God. Some other voice seemed to speak to you, and you listened and thought it was God's voice. But God's voice will come to you yet, and you will hear it and answer it and not another—— Have you anywhere to go to when you leave this house?”
“Yes, the home of a good woman. I have written to her—I think she will receive me.”
“All that you brought with you will be returned, and if you want money——”
“No, I came to you as a beggar—let me leave you as a beggar too.”
“There is one thing more, my son.”
“What is it, Father?”
The old man's voice was scarcely audible. “You are breaking obedience by leaving us before the end of your novitiate, and the community must separate itself from you, though you are only a novice, as from one who has violated his vow and cast himself off from grace. This will have to be done before you cross our threshold. It is our duty to the Brotherhood—it is also our duty to God. You understand that?”
“Yes.”
“It will be in the church, a few minutes before midday service.”
The Father rose to go. “Then that is all?”