The precentor, startled and prompted, and none too lavishly provided withsingers to be moulded, obligingly opined that he would be interested to hearthe novice sing. Prior Robert knotted his austere brows, and frowned down hispatrician nose; if it had rested with him, the errant youth would have beenawarded a hard penance. But the master of novices was no great enthusiast forthe lavish use of the discipline, and seemed content to have a goodconstruction put on his pupil’s lapse.
“It is true that he has shown as earnest and willing, Father Abbot, and hasbeen with us but a short time. It is easy to forget oneself at moments ofconcentration, and his copying is careful and devoted.”
The singer got away with a light penance that would not keep him on hisknees long enough to rise from them stiffly. Abbot Heribert was always inclinedto be lenient, and this morning he appeared more than usually preoccupied anddistracted. They were drawing near the end of the day’s affairs. The abbot roseas if to put an end to the chapter.
“There are here a few documents to be sealed,” said Brother Matthew thecellarer, rustling parchments in haste, for it seemed to him that the abbot hadturned absent-minded, and lost sight of this duty. “There is the matter of thefee-farm of Hales, and the grant made by Walter Aylwin, and also the guestshipagreement with Gervase Bonel and his wife, to whom we are allotting the firsthouse beyond the mill-pond. Master Bonel wishes to move in as soon as may be,before the Christmas feast…”