the world and found it wanting."

Ralph smiled, and said stammering:

"Father, did the world try them, and find them wanting perchance?"

Then he reddened, and said: "Are ye verily all such as this in this House?
Who then is it who hath made so fair a lordship, and so goodly a governance
for so many people? Know ye not at all of the world's ways!"

"Fair sir," said the monk sternly, "they that work for us work
for the Lord and all his servants."

"Yea," said Ralph, "so it is; and will the Lord be content with the service
of him whom the devil hath cast out because he hath found him a dastard?"

The monk frowned, yet smiled somewhat withal, and said:
"Sir, thou art young, but thy wits are over old for me;
but there are they in this House who may answer thee featly;
men who have read the books of the wise men of the heathen,
and the doctors of Holy Church, and are even now making books
for the scribes to copy." Then his voice softened, and he said:
"Dear lord, we should be right fain of thee here, but since thou
must needs go, go with my blessing, and double blessing shalt thou
have when thou comest back to us." Then Ralph remembered his promise
to the shepherds and took a gold crown from his pouch, and said:
"Father, I pray thee say a mass for the shepherd downsmen;
and this is for the offering."

The monk praised the gift and the bidding, and kissed Ralph,