1. The lamps under the wayside crosses were blown out; the roads were sheets of ice; the impenetrable darkness hid every trace of habitations; there was no living
thing abroad.
2. The streets were all white with ice: the high walls and roofs loomed black against them.
3. Now and then a bat moved in the shadows — now and then a gleam of light came on the ranks
of carven figures.
4. Nello rose to his feet and stretched his arms to them: the tears of a passionate ecstasy glistened
on the paleness of his face.
5. Then suddenly it passed away: once more a great darkness covered the face of Christ.
6. They were very poor, terribly poor — many a day they had nothing at all to eat.
7. He was in no guise for feasting: he was very poorly and miserably clad, and he dragged his silent way slowly through the dust among the pleasure-seekers.
8. The miller was silent: then he stretched his hand out with a franc in it. |
