a dose of cold water

One of the neighbours has returned from a visit to Lourdes.
"Did you see any miracles?" I asked her.
I always ask this.
I love the miracles.
They speak to me of the immediacy of God.
He's right here.
The kingdom of heaven is in our midst.
That old gag.
"No," she said.
"No miracles at all?"
"None. I didn't see them anyway."
"Well how about spiritual miracles? Children finding a sudden mysterious strength within themselves to cope with extraordinary difficulties? Enemies forgiving each other? Cripples triumphing over pain? Oul one's faces shining with an inner light that makes them more beautiful than anyone you've ever seen before?"
"I saw nothing James."
"Okay."
"It was all very nice. The army was there. Representatives from armies around Europe. They had a parade. The parade was really good. You'd have enjoyed it."
"I doubt I would. I don't generally enjoy things. But anyway, nothing beautiful of a heavenly, mystical, miraculous nature?"
"Sorry to disappoint you but no. Nothing like that. Oh. There was one thing. A funny little thing. It's not a miracle though. I bathed in the pool. You know the pool. You go into it naked. And when you come out you put your clothes back on straight away. I put mine on and I was completely dry. I mean I got out of the water drenched and I put my clothes on and the clothes weren't even wet. There was no towel to dry myself or anything. The clothes just went on smoothly. Didn't even stick to me. Not a trace of dampness on my skin."
"You just told me you didn't see a miracle."
"Well my husband said it was just atmospheric conditions. You know. That you dry real quick."
"Wow."
"Did you ever hear of anything like that before?"
"Actually I did. I've read of it happening to some visitors at Lourdes. But I've never met anyone who said it happened to them. I didn't want to tip you off when I was asking about miracles as to what I might be expecting."
"I'd never heard of it happening to anyone."