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portents?’
    If Frau Anna was offended by the priest’s cynicism she didn’t show it, nor did she seem in the least put out. She nodded her head in my direction. ‘She is a former mute, Father,’ she said impassively, ‘and has yet to learn how to talk.’
    â€˜A former mute that sings!’ Father Pietrus yelled out. ‘Did I not hear that she sang the Gloria Patri and the Gloria in Excelsis in the marketplace? Are they not formed by words of praise?’
    â€˜Ah! Now you begin to understand the gift from heaven, Father. But that is only a part of it,’ she added mysteriously.
    â€˜There is more?’
    â€˜Oh yes, Father!’ Frogface and Gooseneck exclaimed simultaneously, almost as if they’d been rehearsed in support of Frau Anna.
    Frau Anna nodded, acknowledging them. Then, anxious to maintain her role as chief witness, she added primly, ‘They are witnesses to the miracle and will confirm everything I have to say is the truth.’
    â€˜Of course,’ Father Pietrus said wearily, ‘of course they will.’ He looked towards Frau Anna. ‘So pray tell me more of this mute child bursting into hymns of praise. But do it quickly, woman, I have much to do.’
    Frau Anna appeared not to notice the priest’s mocking irony. ‘ Formerly mute, now learning to talk, Father,’ she corrected him, then she launched into the incident in the marketplace. She turned the coincidental sunlight into the spirit of the Holy Ghost descending from heaven to surround me in pure white light. She told of the demon’s red eyes looking out of mine in fear and the look of terror on my face. Then how the light entered my mouth and my eyes turned to a heavenly blue and upon my face appeared a beatific smile. Pausing for effect she then explained how I commenced to sing the Gloria in the voice of an angel, whereupon God Himself was heard to send down his approval in the form of a mighty clap of thunder.
    It was little wonder that Frau Anna was known as the Gossip Queen for she was a born storyteller. Well knowing the truth and despite myself I was impressed. On either side of me Gooseneck and Frogface had taken to their rosary beads and both were weeping softly, overcome by their leader’s eloquence. Father Pietrus sighed, folding his hands across his chest and twiddling his thumbs. ‘Well, I see the child has kept the blue eyes the Holy Ghost brought down from heaven in the glaring white light,’ he observed. It was obvious that he remained unbelieving.
    Frau Anna, who had up to this moment remained impassive to the priest’s sarcasm, was now suddenly barely able to contain her fury. Father Pietrus hadn’t, like everyone else, succumbed to her impassioned and detailed description of the miraculous event. Jumping from the pew she turned and grabbed me by the wrist, pulling me viciously to my feet. ‘Look for yourself, Father!’ she shouted. Then placing a hand on either shoulder she pulled, stripping the garment from my shoulders so that I stood half-naked. Then she turned me about so roughly that I staggered and would have fallen had she not held me. I now had my back to the priest. ‘There, see the mark of the fish!’ she exclaimed. ‘She is among those chosen by the Lord Jesus Himself! Come ye after me and I will make you to become fishers of men.’
    Father Pietrus rose from his chair and came to stand directly behind me so that I could smell the sour sacrament wine on his breath. ‘Hmm . . . an interesting birthmark. You are right, it does closely resemble a fish.’
    â€˜It is the sign of Jesus the Holy Fisherman on the Sea of Galilee,’ Frau Anna declared triumphantly, then added incredulously, ‘It was not seen to be there before the miracle, Father.’
    â€˜Nonsense, woman! It is a simple birthmark.’
    â€˜The mark of Jesus our precious Saviour upon her frail flesh,’ Frau Anna