"Ah!" she cried, her deep eyes clearing, "it was you, then, little
mortal. For a moment I was struck with fear. You see if a bit of the
world attaches to our garments it makes them heavy and weighs them
down, and it is a long time ere they regain their lightness. Such a
mishap seldom occurs, for generally we are only too glad to keep our
minds on perfect things. But once in a long, long while we may give a
thought to earth, and then it always hangs upon us like a clog; and if
we did not immediately try to shake it off, we should soon be quite
unable to rid ourselves of it, and it would grow and grow, and by and
by we should have lost the power to rise above the earth, and should
have to be poor worldlings like the rest; and, on the other hand, if
the worldlings would only throw off all the earth-thoughts that weigh
them down, they would become lighter and more spotless, and at last be
one of us. But if it was you who touched my robe and if I can help
you, I am not afraid. What do you wish, little one?"
For a moment Nina could find no voice in which to reply; but by and by
she gained courage to falter out,--
"I came in here because I heard most beautiful music, and I thought it
might be the Santa Maria singing to the Bambinetto, since it is his
birthday--or will be to-morrow; and I thought--I did not mean to do
wrong, but I thought maybe if I could see the Gesu Santissimo once,
only once, I should never be tired nor cold nor sad-hearted any more.
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