The look of thoughtful bewilderment had not changed.Richard’s toes shoved hard against the floor, and his handsgripped the edge of the bench on which he was perched.

“My father is dead?” he repeated carefully.

“Yes, Richard. Soon or late, it touches us all. Every sonmust one day step into his father’s place and take up hisfather’s duties.”

“Then I shall be the lord of Eaton now?”

Brother Paul did not make the mistake of taking this for asimple expression of self-congratulation on a personal gain, ratheras an intelligent acceptance of what he himself had just said. Theheir must take up the burden and the privilege his sire had laiddown.

“Yes, you are the lord of Eaton, or you will be as soon asyou are of fit age. You must study to get wisdom, and manage yourlands and people well. Your father would expect that ofyou.”

Still struggling with the practicalities of his new situation,Richard probed back into his memory for a clear vision of thisfather who was now challenging him to be worthy. In his rare recentvisits home at Christmas and Easter he had been admitted on arrivaland departure to a sick-room that smelled of herbs and prematureaging, and allowed to kiss a grey, austere face and listen to adeep voice, indifferent with weakness, calling him son andexhorting him to study and be virtuous. But there was little more,and even the face had grown dim in his memory. Of what he didremember he went in awe.

They had never been close enough for anything more intimate.

“You loved your father, and did your best to please him,did you not, Richard?” Brother Paul prompted gently.“You must still do what is pleasing to him. And you may sayprayers for his soul, which will be a comfort also toyou.”

“Shall I have to go home now?” asked Richard, whosemind was on the need for information rather than comfort.

“To your father’s burial, certainly. But not toremain there, not yet. It was your father’s wish that youshould learn to read and write, and be properly instructed infigures. And you’re young yet, your steward will take goodcare of your manor until you come to manhood.”