The scamp had
seen what I had done before I fell. A thought came to him. He
helped me to my feet, bandaged my wound, and said:
"Now listen, Samuel: you have certainly done a very great thing; but
it is worth nothing to you personally. Nay, worse: they might again
try to make you renounce your faith. So it is really a danger to
you. But, if you wish, just say that I have done it, and I shall
repay you handsomely for it. The priest will not know the
difference."
Well, it is this way: I always hated get-rich-quick schemes. I
never cared a rap for a penny I had not expected and was not ready
to earn. Take, for instance, what I did with the priest: Did I
ever expect any honors or profits out of it? Such possible honors
and profits I certainly did not like, and did not look for.
Besides, who could assure me that they would not try again to coax
me into renouncing my faith? Why, then, should I put myself into
such trouble? And I said to Serge:
"You want it badly, Serge, do you? You'd like to see yourself
promoted, to be an officer? Is that so? Very well, then.
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