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When the hermit came to the door of the little farm； the two women
who lived there were overjoyed to see him； for every one loved and
honored his name。 They put a chair for him on the cool porch； and brought
food and drink。 But the hermit was too eager to wait。 He longed greatly to
know what the souls of the two women were like； and from their looks he
could see only that they were gentle and honest。 One was old； and the
other of middle age。
Presently he asked them about their lives。 They told him the little there
was to tell： they had worked hard always； in the fields with their husbands；
or in the house； they had many children； they had seen hard times；
sickness； sorrow； but they had never despaired。
〃But what of your good deeds；〃 the hermit asked；〃what have you
done for God？〃
〃Very little；〃 they said； sadly； for they were too poor to give much。 To
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Stories To Tell Children
be sure； twice every year； when they killed a sheep for food； they gave half
to their poorer neighbors。
〃That is very good； very faithful；〃 the hermit said。 〃And is there any
other good deed you have done？〃
〃Nothing；〃 said the older woman； 〃unless； unlessit might be called a
good deed〃 She looked at the younger woman； who smiled back at her。
〃What？〃 said the hermit。
Still the woman hesitated； but at last she said； timidly； 〃It is not much
to tell； father； only this； that it is twenty years since my sister…in…law and I
came to live together in the house； we have brought up our families here；
and in all the twenty years there has never been a cross word between us；
or a look that was less than kind。〃
The hermit bent his head before the two women； and gave thanks in
his heart。 〃If my soul is as these；〃 he said； 〃I am blessed indeed。〃
And suddenly a great light came into the hermit's mind； and he saw
how many ways there are of serving God。 Some serve him in churches and
in hermit's cells； by praise and prayer； some poor souls who have been
very wicked turn from their wickedness with sorrow； and serve him with
repentance； some live faithfully and gently in humble homes； working；
bringing up children； keeping kind and cheerful； some bear pain patiently；
for his sake。 Endless； endless ways there are； that only the Heavenly
Father sees。
And so； as the hermit climbed the mountain again； he thought；
〃As he saw the star…like glow Of light； in the cottage windows far；
How many God's hidden servants are！〃
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