But every eye looked towards
the lowest centre of the mountain-amphitheatre, where a little vacant spot
awaited the presence of some form, which should be the heart of all the
throng. Down towards this centre the Lord bore him. Entering the holy
circle, he set him gently down, and then looked all around, as if
searching earnestly for some one he could not see.
"And not finding whom he sought, he walked across the open space. A path
was instantly divided for him through the dense multitude surrounding it.
Along this lane of men and women and children, he went; and Herbert ran,
following close at his feet; for now all the universe seemed empty save
where he was. And he was not rebuked, but suffered to follow. And although
the Lord walked fast and far, the feet following him were not weary, but
grew in speed and in power. Through the great crowd and beyond it, never
looking back, up and over the brow of the mountain they went, and leaving
behind them the gathered universe of men, descended into a pale night.
Hither and hither went the Master, searching up and down the gloomy
valley; now looking behind a great rock, and now through a thicket of
brushwood; now entering a dark cave, and now ascending a height and gazing
all around; till at last, on a bare plain, seated on a grey stone, with
her hands in her lap, they found the little orphan child who had called
the sea her mother.
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