It must
reach Something--it must be heard, because she cried so loud, though to
the human beings about her she seemed kneeling in silence. She went on
and on, repeating her words, changing them, ending and beginning again,
pouring forth a flood of appeal. She thought later that the flood must
have been at its highest tide when, singularly, it was stemmed. Without
warning, a wave of awe passed over her which strangely silenced her--and
left her bowed and kneeling, but crying out no more. The darkness had
become still, even as it had not been still before. Suddenly she cowered
as she knelt and held her breath. Something had drawn a little near. No
thoughts--no words--no cries were needed as the great stillness grew and
spread, and folded her being within it. She waited--only waited. She did
not know how long a time passed before she felt herself drawn back from
the silent and shadowy places--awakening, as it were, to the sounds in
the church.
"Our Father," she began to say, as simply as a child. "Our Father who
art in Heaven--hallowed be thy name." There was a stirring among the
congregation, and sounds of feet, as the people began to move down the
aisle in reverent slowness. She caught again the occasional sound of a
subdued sob.
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