- Project Runeberg -  Gösta Berling's saga / Part II /
185

Author: Selma Lagerlöf Translator: Lillie Tudeer
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“You are to preach next Sunday; pray then for
rain!”

The old man collapsed with fright.

“If you are in earnest, if you are not the man
who has brought the drought upon us, if you have
thought of serving God the Almighty with your
savings, then pray for rain. That shall be the sign.
We shall know by that if our will is His will.”

When Gösta drove on down Broby hill he was
astonished at himself and the enthusiasm that had
seized upon him. After all, life could be glorious,
but not for him. They would not take count of his
services above.

*



The sermon and the usual prayers were just finished
at Broby church. The vicar was just on the point
of descending the pulpit steps when he hesitated.
Then he fell on his knees and prayed for rain.

He prayed as men pray in despair, with few words
and without any real connection between them.

“If it is my sin that has called forth Thine anger,
punish me alone! If there is any mercy in Thee,
O Thou God of Grace, let it rain! Take the shame
away from me! Let it rain at my prayer! Let rain
fall on the fields of the poor! Give Thy people
bread!”

The day was hot; it was almost unbearably
suffocating in the church. The congregation had sat

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