"Yourwordsareterrible! But, holyandblessedFather," saidthemonk, growingbolderandbolder, "isittrue, astheynoiseabroadeventodistantlandsaboutyou, thatyouareincontinualcommunicationwiththeHolyGhost?"
"Hedoesflydownattimes."
"Howdoesheflydown? Inwhatform?"
"Asabird."
"TheHolyGhostintheformofadove?"
"There'stheHolyGhostandthere'—sometimesasaswallow, sometimesagoldfinchandsometimesasablue-tit."
"Howdoyouknowhimfromanordinarytit?"
"Hespeaks."
"Howdoeshespeak, inwhatlanguage?"
"Humanlanguage."
"Andwhatdoeshetellyou?"
"Why, , monk."
"Terribleareyourwords, mostholyandblessedFather," .
"Doyouseethistree?" askedFatherFerapont, afterapause.
"Ido, blessedFather."
"Youthinkit'sanelm, butformeithasanothershape."
"Whatsortofshape?" inquiredthemonk, afterapauseofvainexpectation.
"? InthenightitisChristholdingoutHisarmstomeandseekingmewiththosearms, 'sterrible, terrible!"
"Whatisthereterribleifit'sChristHimself?"
"Why, He'llsnatchmeupandcarrymeaway."
"Alive?"
"InthespiritandgloryofElijah, haven'tyouheard? HewilltakemeinHisarmsandbearmeaway."
