Chapter 20

           

           Thenextdaythesickmanreceivedthesacramentandextremeunction.DuringtheceremonyNikolayLevinprayedfervently.Hisgreateyes,fastenedontheholyimagethatwassetoutonacard-tablecoveredwithacolorednapkin,expressedsuchpassionateprayerandhopethatitwasawfultoLevintoseeit.Levinknewthatthispassionateprayerandhopewouldonlymakehimfeelmorebitterlypartingfromthelifehesoloved.Levinknewhisbrotherandtheworkingsofhisintellect:heknewthathisunbeliefcamenotfromlifebeingeasierforhimwithoutfaith,buthadgrownupbecausestepbystepthecontemporaryscientificinterpretationofnaturalphenomenacrushedoutthepossibilityoffaith;andsoheknewthathispresentreturnwasnotalegitimateone,broughtaboutbywayofthesameworkingofhisintellect,butsimplyatemporary,interestedreturntofaithinadesperatehopeofrecovery.LevinknewtoothatKittyhadstrengthenedhishopebyaccountsofthemarvelousrecoveriesshehadheardof.Levinknewallthis;anditwasagonizinglypainfultohimtobeholdthesupplicating,hopefuleyesandtheemaciatedwrist,liftedwithdifficulty,makingthesignofthecrossonthetensebrow,andtheprominentshouldersandhollow,gaspingchest,whichonecouldnotfeelconsistentwiththelifethesickmanwasprayingfor.DuringthesacramentLevindidwhathe,anunbeliever,haddoneathousandtimes.Hesaid,addressingGod,“IfThoudostexist,makethismantorecover”(ofcoursethissamethinghasbeenrepeatedmanytimes),“andThouwiltsavehimandme.

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