The low voice said, rather fiercely than firmly: “It is my wish, Father.” Heseemed almost to start at his own vehemence, and added more warily: “I beg thatyou will let me in, and I promise obedience.”

“That vow comes later,” said Radulfus with a faint smile. “For this while,Brother Paul will be your instructor, and you will submit yourself to him. Forthose who come into the Order in mature years a full year’s probation iscustomary. You have time both to promise and to fulfil.”

The submissively bowed head reared suddenly at hearing this, the largeeyelids rolled back from wide, clear eyes of a dark hazel flecked with green.So seldom had he looked up full into the light that their brightness wasstartling and disquieting. And his voice was higher and sharper, almostdismayed, as he asked: “Father, is that needful? Cannot the time be cut short,if I study to deserve? The waiting is hard to bear.”

The abbot regarded him steadily, and drew his level brows together in afrown, rather of speculation and wonder than of displeasure. “The period can beshortened, if such a move seems good to us. But impatience is not the bestcounsellor, nor haste the best advocate. It will be made plain if you are readyearlier. Do not strain after perfection.”

It was clear that the young man Meriet was sensitive to all the implicationsof both words and tone. He lowered his lids again like shutters over thebrightness, and regarded his folded hands. “Father, I will be guided. But I dodesire with all my heart to have the fullness of my commitment, and be atpeace.” Cadfael thought that the guarded voice shook for an instant. In allprobability that did the boy no harm with Radulfus, who had experience both ofpassionate enthusiasts and those gradually drawn like lambs to the slaughter ofdedication.