They had lighted the fire in the warming room forthe first time when December came in, and in the relaxed half-hourbetween Collations and Compline, when tongues were allowedconsiderable licence, there was far more talk and speculation aboutthe parish cure than about the legate’s council inWestminster, to which Abbot Radulfus had just set out. Prior Roberthad withdrawn into the abbot’s lodging, as representing thatdignitary in his absence, which gave further freedom to thetalkative, but his chaplain and shadow, Brother Jerome, in his turntook upon himself the duty and privilege of representing the prior,and Brother Richard, the sub-prior, was too easy-going, not to sayindolent, to assert himself with any vigour.

A meagre man in the flesh was Brother Jerome, but he made up forit in zeal, though there were those who found that zeal toonarrowly channelled, and somewhat dehydrated of the milk of humantolerance. Which rendered it understandable that he should considerFather Adam to have been rather over-supplied with thatcommodity.

“Certainly a man of virtue himself” said Jerome,“I would not for a moment take that from him, we all know heserved devotedly. But somewhat loose upon others who did offend.His discipline was too slack, and his penances too light and tooindulgently given. Who spares the sinner condones thesin.”

“There’s been good order and neighbourliness in hisparish the length of his life here,” said Brother Ambrose thealmoner, whose office brought him into contact with the poorest ofthe poor throughout the Foregate. “I know how they speak ofhim. He left a cure ready and fit for another to step into, withthe general goodwill open to whoever comes, because the generalgoodwill was there to speed the one departed.”

“Children will always be glad of a weak master who neveruses the rod,” said Jerome sagely, “and rascals of ajudge who lets them off lightly. But the payment that falls duelater will be fearful. Better they should be brought up harshlyagainst the wages of sin now, and lay up safety for their soulshereafter.”