Reuben couldn't contain his smile, delighted with the praise although he knew ego was bad for the soul. "Thank you, Fabian. I hope it has inspired at least some of our fellow men to be good Christians until next Sunday." He said, patting the boy's thin shoulder. "You don't think it was too dry, do you?" He said after a moment, leading the boy away from the dangerous steps on which he might trip and hurt himself. The boy's uncle had on more than on occasion made certain that Father St. John knew exactly how to care for the poor, sickly child.