It was a little naked child that looked at him with healing eyes, but there were no seaweeds in her hair, and no shell in the little wee hands of her. For now, it was a male Child that was there, shining with a light from within: and in his fair sunny hair was a shadowy crown of thorns, and in his hand was a pearl of great price.
“O Christ, my God,” said Colum, with failing voice.
“It is thine now, O Colum,” said the Moon-Child, holding out to him the shining pearl of great price.
“What is it, O Lord my God?” whispered the old servant of God that was now glad with the gladness: “what is this, thy boon?”
“Perfect Peace.”
And that is all.
(To God be the Glory. Amen.)