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forecast。
After a moment's thought； he said：
〃You certainly have a right to follow your vocation。 God's will comes
before even your father's。 But it is not going to be easy。 However； I shall
speak to the Father Provincial； and do what I can。〃
Stanislaus went away with good hopes。 He was to return in a few days
to hear the result of Commendoni's plea。 But when he came back to the
Cardinal； he found only another disappointment。 The Provincial not
merely was as stubborn as ever； he had even won the Cardinal to his way
of thinking。 It was too risky to admit him； it was altogether unwise。
Most boys might have given up after that。 Stanislaus did not give up。
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FOR GREATER THINGS： The story of Saint Stanislaus Kostka
He was quite sure of what God wanted； and difficulties simply did not
count。 lie was called to be a Jesuit； and a Jesuit he would be。 If he could
not gain admission into the Society in Vienna； well； he would try
elsewhere。
But even with his mind fairly made up； he sought more guidance。 A
young Portuguese Jesuit； Father Antoni； had lately come to Vienna as
preacher to the Empress Maria。 Every one was talking about his ability； his
prudence； his zeal。 Stanislaus went to him； and laid his troubles before
him。
Father Antoni took some little time to think it all over； then decided
very definitely。 He called Stanislaus to him。
〃Do you understand；〃 he asked； 〃what it will mean to go away； to
leave your people； to live in a strange country？〃
Stanislaus said； yes； he understood perfectly。
〃And that you are closing the door on your return； that in no case will
you ever be received again at Kostkov？〃
Yes； Stanislaus knew that too。
〃And that you will have to go an immense journey on foot； with plenty
of hardships； to find at the end of it a life that is not easy； to live at the
beck and call of another； to do menial work； to endure humiliations； to
sacrifice everything that the world holds。 dear？〃
Stanislaus smiled at him。 He had reckoned it all out； he had 〃counted
the cost〃 long before； he was ready。
Then； in God's name； go！ 〃 said Father Antonie 〃And may God be with
you in all。 I'll give you letters to Father Canisius； the Provincial in
Augsburg； and to Father Francis Borgia； the General； who is in Rome。〃
Then Stanislaus was happy。 At last he was in a fair way to obey the
command of God； which our Lady herself had brought him。 Father Antoni
spoke with him longer； pointed out in detail many of the difficulties that
awaited him； gave him counsel for the road。 Then he went to write the
letters of introduction； and Stanislaus went back to Paul and Bilinski and
their blows and sneers； to get ready for his tramp。
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FOR GREATER THINGS： The story of Saint Stanislaus Kostka
CHAPTER X
THE RUNAWAY
He was going to run away。 But he was not going to sneak away。 He
was just as kind and forgiving to Paul as he had always been。 He bore him
no ill…will for his three years of abuse； now that he had determined upon a
course of action； which would free him from a continuance of it。 He had
often felt angry over Paul's treatment of him； but he had kept down his
anger under his vigorous will。
But now he made up his mind that Paul would receive something of a
shock the next time he had resort to his now almost habitual amusement of
beating his younger brother。 Meantime； he bought a peasant's tunic and a
pair of rough shoes that would be serviceable for his long march。
It was not long before something or other Stanislaus did or said woke
Paul's easily aroused rage。 He began with oaths； of which he seemed to
possess a pretty stock。 He worked himself up into greater and greater heat
of temper … a substitute for courage with many people。 Finally he sprang at
Stanislaus。 Formerly； on such occasions Stanislaus was so busy holding
his own temper in check that he could do little else； he stood almost like a
statue。 But this time Paul felt there was something wrong。 Stanislaus was
looking straight at him。 When he leaped to strike him； Stanislaus quietly
and skillfully thrust him aside。 Paul stumbled； staggered； recovered
himself。 But when he looked again； fear took hold of him。 He was afraid
of what he saw in Stanislaus' eyes。 The younger boy spoke quietly； coolly。
〃That will be about enough；〃 he said； 〃I've put up with your cowardice
and brutality for three years。 I'll stand it no longer。 Since I cannot have
peace here； well；。 I'll look for it somewhere else。 You can answer to our
father； and tell him how it happened。〃
Paul was still frightened。 The situation was extremely novel to him。
The turning of the worm！ What would happen next！ He was afraid at first
that Stanislaus was going to give him his long…due payment； and he had no
stomach to face the reckoning。 He had not noticed before how wiry and
strong Stanislaus looked。 But when he saw that the boy made no
movement； only spoke in that quiet voice； he plucked up a little courage。
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FOR GREATER THINGS： The story of Saint Stanislaus Kostka
He began to bluster and swear。
〃You'll go away； will you？〃 he cried。 〃What the devil do I care？ Go；
and be hanged to you！〃 … that was the gist of it； only a trifle more
ornamental。
〃Don't forget！ 〃 said Stanislaus。 〃 Send word to father。 I'm certainly
going away。〃
Paul was waxing eloquent again； but Stanislaus turned on his heel and
walked away。 Nor did the bullying big brother venture to follow him。 He
contented himself with calling him hard names which he could not hear；
and muttering savagely to himself for some time。 But； naturally； he did not
believe at all that Stanislaus was really going to run away9 He looked
upon the words as an empty threat。
And so it was all over。 Stanislaus sighed a sigh of relief。 There was
nothing ahead of him now save the road to Augsburg。 He said his prayers
tranquilly and went to bed。
Morning came； or the dawn that precedes the morning。 Stanislaus got
up； selected his finest suit of clothes； and dressed。 His first care was to
write the let