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The old priest laid his hand on Marco's shoulder, and gently
pushed him before him through the crowd which parted to make way
for them. He did not stop until the two stood in the very midst
of the circle, which fell back gazing wonderingly. Marco looked
up at the old man because for several seconds he did not speak.
It was plain that he did not speak because he also was excited,
and could not. He opened his lips and his voice seemed to fail
him. Then he tried again and spoke so that all could hear--even
the men at the back of the gazing circle.
``My children,'' he said, ``this is the son of Stefan Loristan,
and he comes to bear the Sign. My son,'' to Marco, ``speak!''
Then Marco understood what he wished, and also what he felt. He
felt it himself, that magnificent uplifting gladness, as he
spoke, holding his black head high and lifting his right hand.
``The Lamp is Lighted, brothers!'' he cried. ``The Lamp is
Lighted!''
Then The Rat, who stood apart, watching, thought that the strange
world within the cavern had gone mad! Wild smothered cries broke
forth, men caught each other in passionate embrace, they fell
upon their knees, they clutched one another sobbing, they wrung
each other's hands, they leaped into the air. It was as if they
could not bear the joy of hearing that the end of their waiting
had come at last. They rushed upon Marco, and fell at his feet.
The Rat saw big peasants kissing his shoes, his hands, every
scrap of his clothing they could seize. The wild circle swayed
and closed upon him until The Rat was afraid. He did not know
that, overpowered by this frenzy of emotion, his own excitement
was making him shake from head to foot like a leaf, and that
tears were streaming down his cheeks. The swaying crowd hid
Marco from him, and he began to fight his way towards him because
his excitement increased with fear. The ecstasy-frenzied crowd
of men seemed for the moment to have almost ceased to be sane.
Marco was only a boy. They did not know how fiercely they were
pressing upon him and keeping away the very air.
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