IX.
Efim lay down to sleep, and a temptation fell upon him. "They did not filch any money from the pilgrim," thought he, "for surely he has none. He never gave anything anywhere. He told me to offer things, but gave nothing himself, and even borrowed a rouble or two from me."
Thus thought Efim, and then he began to reproach himself: "What," said he, "I judge this man! 'tis a sin. I won't think so."
But no sooner did he try to forget than it again occurred to him how the pilgrim was always eager after money, and how improbable it was that anyone could have filched his purse. And he never had any money, he thought. 'Twas a mere excuse.
In the morning they got up and went to early mass in the great Church of the Resurrection, to the Sepulchre of the Lord. The pilgrim never quitted Efim, but went with him everywhere. They came to the church. There was no end of people there—pious foreign pilgrims, and Russians, and all nations—Greeks and Armenians, and Turks and Syrians. Efim went to the holy gate with the people, passed by the Turkish guard in the place where the Saviour had been taken down from the cross and anointed, and where the great nine-branched candlestick was burning. Here Efim offered a. candle. Then the stranger-pilgrim took Efim by the right hand and led him up the steps to Golgotha, to the place where the cross had stood, and here Efim prayed. Then they
186
