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!”