At the man's muttering, he couldn't help but give a quiet, cut-off laugh. Then God is an ass for it? The people here spoke so plainly, even in the direct presence of a priest, and a part of him was beginning to warm to it.

He supposed that Mister Tully, whether he claimed to believe in God or not, still blamed him for his sufferings. Malachi was not sure what to make of it.

"Sure," he began with a nod. Turning slightly to face Mister Tully, he took care to leave a fair amount of space between them on the pew while he spoke.

"But that isn't all there is to it. We should remain steadfast, of course we should, but even Job in all his faith began to doubt towards the end. He, like many others in the scripture, questioned why God let such things happen to those that loved him most. He was so sure that he had done something wrong, that he was being punished for some sin against God."

There was no easy answer to that question of why. There was even less of one that he believed would be of any comfort.

"You said you were a good man before. I don't believe that's changed, Mister Tully."