ot be for long. That is, I suppose, your uncle will take
good care of you, and he has influence. We are safest just now when most
independent of each other. It is only for a while. We shall meet again
soon; I tell you so. Did we keep together just now, it would be the worse
for each of us. You go with the boy; I will go off to the place I
mentioned."

"O my father," said the youth, "how will you get there? What shall I
suffer from my fears about you?"

"Fear not," answered Caecilius, "mind, I tell you so. It will be a trying
time, but my hour is not yet come. I am good for years yet; so are you,
for many more than mine. He will protect and rescue me, though I know not
how. Go, leave me to myself, Agellius!"

"O my father, my only stay upon earth, whom God sent me in my extreme
need, to whom I owe myself, must I then quit you; must a layman desert a
priest; the young the old?... Ah! it is I really, not you, who am without
protection. Angels surround you, father; but I am a poor wanderer. Give me
your blessing that evil may not touch me. I go."

"Do not kneel," said the priest; "they will see you. Stop, I have got to
tell you how and where to find me." He then proceeded to give him the
necessary instructions. "Walk out," he said, "along the road to
Thibursicumbur to the third milestone, you will come to a country road;
pursue it; walk a thousand steps; then again for the space of seven
_paternosters_; and then speak to the man upon your right hand. And now
away with you, God speed you, we shall not long be parted," and he made
the sign of the cross over him.

"That old chap gives himself airs," said the boy, when Agellius joined
him; "what may he be? one of your slaves, Agellius?"

"You're a pert boy," answered he, "for asking me the question."

"They say the Christians brought the locusts," said Firmian, "by their
enchantments; and there's a jolly row beginning in the Forum just now. The
report goes that you are a Christian."

"That's because your people have nothing better to do than talk against
their neighbours."

"Because you are so soft, rather," said the boy. "Another man would have
knocked me down for saying it; but you are lackadaisical folk, who bear
insults tamely. Arnobius says your father was a Christian."

"Father and son are not always the same religion now-a-days," said
Agellius.

"Ay, ay," answered Firmian, "but the Christians came from Egypt: and as
cook there is the son of cook, and soldier