"After a morning's work ... [Alexander Somerville] recalled, "'I remained in the fields, and lay on the grass under the shadow of the trees and read about the Centurion, and all that befel her. When the afternoon work began, I related to the other workers what I had read; and even the grieve began to take an interest in the story. And this interest increased in him and in every one else until they all brought their dinners afield, so that they might remain under the shadow of the trees and hear me read. In the evenings at home I continued the reading, and next day at work put them in possession of the events which I knew in advance of them.'"