ARTIN. It may be that this man is the beginning. He has been sent ...
the poor, they have nothing, and so they can see heaven as we cannot.
He and his comrades will understand me. But now to give all men high
hearts that they may all understand.

JOHNNY B. It's the juice of the grey barley will do that.

ANDREW. To rise everybody's heart, is it? Is it that was your
meaning?... If you will take the blame of it all, I'll do what you
want. Give me the bag of money, then. [_He takes it up._] Oh, I've a
heart like your own! I'll lift the world too! The people will be
running from all parts. Oh, it will be a great day in this district.

JOHNNY B. Will I go with you?

MARTIN. No, you must stay here; we have things to do and to plan.

JOHNNY B. Destroyed we all are with the hunger and the drouth.

MARTIN. Go then, get food and drink, whatever is wanted to give you
strength and courage; gather your people together here; bring them all
in. We have a great thing to do. I have to begin ... I want to tell it
to the whole world. Bring them in, bring them in, I will make the house
ready.

ACT II

SCENE: The same workshop a few minutes later. MARTIN. seen arranging
mugs and bread, etc., on a table. FATHER JOHN comes in, knocking at
open door as he comes.

MARTIN. Come in, come in, I have got the house ready. Here is bread and
meat ... everybody is welcome. [Hearing no answer, turns round.]

FATHER JOHN. Martin, I have come back.... There is something I want to
say to you.

MARTIN. You are welcome; there are others coming.... They are not of
your sort, but all are welcome.

FATHER JOHN. I have remembered suddenly something that I read when I
was in the seminary.

MARTIN. You seem very tired.

FATHER JOHN [_sitting down_]. I had almost got back to my own place
when I thought of it. I have run part of the way. It is very important.
It is about the trance that you have been in. When one is inspired from
above, either in trance or in contemplation, one remembers afterwards
all that one has seen and read. I think there must be something about
it in St. Thomas. I know that I have read a long passage about it years
ago. But, Martin, there is another kind of inspiration, or rather an
obsession or possession. A diabolical power comes into one's body or
overshadows it. Those whose bodies are taken hold of in this way,
jugglers and witches and the like, can often tell what is happening in
distant places, or what is going to h