He did not notice it at once. When he did, he regulated it, and
then broke the silence.
"Do you believe," said he, "that you really have a mission?"
Benedetto answered with, an expression of humble fervour.
"Yes, I do believe it."
"And why do you believe it?"
"Holy Father, because every one comes into the world with a mission
written in his nature. Had I never had this vision, or received other
extraordinary signs, my nature, which is eminently religious, would
still have made religious action incumbent upon me. How can I say it?
But I will say it"--here Benedetto's voice trembled with emotion--"as I
have said it to no one else, I believe, I know that God is the Father of
us all; but I feel His paternity in my nature. Mine is hardly a sense of
duty, it is a sense of sonship."
"And do you believe it is your duty to exercise the religious action
here and now?"
Benedetto clasped his hands, as if already imploring attention.
"Yes," said he, "here also, and now."
When he had spoken he fell upon his knees, his hands still clasped.
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