epeters.amorbidtasteforbones-第4节
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ury？ To the great glory and lustre of our house！〃
〃And of Prior Robert！〃 whispered Brother John in Cadfael's ear。
〃It certainly seems that she has shown us singular favour；〃 admitted Abbot Heribert。
〃Then； Father； have I your leave to send Brother Columbanus with a safe escort to Holywell？ This very day？〃
〃Do so；〃 said the abbot； 〃with the prayers of us all； and may he return as Saint Winifred's own messenger； hale and grateful。〃
The deranged man； still wandering in mind and muning with himself in incoherent ravings； was led away out of the gatehouse on the first stage of his journey immediately after the midday meal； mounted on a mule； with a high； cradling saddle to give him some security from falling； in case the violent fit took him again； and with Brother Jerome and a brawny lay…brother one on either side； to support him at need。 Columbanus looked about him with wide； pathetic； childlike eyes； and seemed to know nobody； though he went submissively and trustfully where he was led。
〃I could have done with a nice little trip into Wales；〃 said Brother John wistfully； looking after them as they rounded the corner and vanished towards the bridge over the Severn。 〃But I probably shouldn't have seen the right visions。 Jerome will do the job better。〃
〃Boy；〃 said Brother Cadfael tolerantly； 〃you bee more of an unbeliever every day。〃
〃Not a bit of it！ I'm as willing to believe in the girl's sanctity and miracles as any man。 We know the saints have power to help and bless； and I'll believe they have the goodwill； too。 But when it's Prior Robert's faithful hound who has the dream； you're asking me to believe in his sanctity； not hers！ And in any case； isn't her favour glory enough？ I don't see why they should want to dig up the poor lady's dust。 It seems like charnel…house business to me； not church business。 And you think exactly the same；〃 he said firmly； and stared out his elder； eye to eye。
〃When I want to hear my echo；〃 said Brother Cadfael； 〃I will speak first。 e on； now； and get the bottom strip of ground dug； there are kale plants waiting to go in 。〃
The delegation to Holywell was gone five days； and came home towards evening in a fine shower of rain and a grand glow of grace； chanting prayers as the three entered the courtyard。 In the midst rode Brother Columbanus； erect and graceful and jubilant； if that word could be used for one so humble in his gladness。 His face was bright and clear； his eyes full of wonder and intelligence。 No man ever looked less mad； or less likely to be subject to the falling sickness。 He went straight to the church and gave thanks and praise to God and Saint Winifred on his knees； and from the altar all three went dutifully to report to the abbot； prior and sub…prior； in the abbot's lodging。
〃Father；〃 said Brother Columbanus； eager and joyous； 〃I have no skill to tell what has befallen me； for I know less than these who have cared for me in my delirium。 All I know is that I was taken on this journey like a man in an ill dream； and went where I was taken； not knowing how to fend for myself； or what I ought to do。 And suddenly I was like a man awakened out of that nightmare to a bright morning and a world of spring； and I was standing naked in the grass beside a well； and these good brothers were pouring water over me that healed as it touched。 I knew myself and them； and only marvelled where I might be； and how I came there。 Which they willingly told me。 And then we went； all； and many people of that place with us； to sing Mass in a little church that stands close by the well。 Now I know that I owe my recovery to the intervention of Saint Winifred； and I praise and worship her from my heart； as I do God who caused her to take pity on me。 The rest these brothers will tell。〃
The lay…brother was large； taciturn； weary…having done all the work throughout…and by this time somewhat bored with the whole business。 He made the appropriate exclamations where needed； but left the narrative in the able hands of Brother Jerome； who told all with zest。 How they had brought their patient to the village of Holywell； and asked the inhabitants for directions and aid； and been shown where the saint had risen living after her martyrdom； in the silver fountain that still sprang in the same spot； furnished now with a stone basin to hold its sacred flow。 There they had led the rambling Columbanus； stripped him of habit； shirt and drawers； and poured the sacred water over him and instantly he had stood erect and lifted his hands in prayer； and given thanks for a mind restored。 Afterwards he had asked them in wonder how he came there； and what had happened to him； and had been greatly chastened and exalted at his humbling and his deliverance； and most grateful to his patroness； by whose guidance he had been made whole。
〃And； Father； the people there told us that the saint is indeed buried at Gwytherin； where she died after her ministry； and that the place where her body is laid has done many miracles。 But they say that her tomb； after so long； is neglected and little thought of； and it may well be that she longs for a better recognition； and to be installed in some place where pilgrims may e； where she may be revered as is her due； and have room to enlarge her grace and blessing to reach more people in need。〃
〃You are inspired； having been present at this miracle；〃 said Prior Robert； tall and splendid with faith rewarded； 〃and you speak out what I have felt in listening to you。 Surely Saint Winifred is calling us to rescue as she came to the rescue of Brother Columbanus。 Many have need of her goodness as he had； and know nothing of her。 In our hands she would be exalted as she deserves； and those who need her grace would know where to e and seek it。 I pray that we may mount that expedition of faith to which she summons us。 Father Abbot； give me your leave to petition the church； and bring this blessed lady home to rest here among us； and be our proudest boast。 For I believe it is her will and her mand。〃
〃In the name of God；〃 said Abbot Heribert devoutly； 〃I approve that project； and pray the blessing of heaven upon it！〃
〃He had it all planned beforehand；〃 said Brother John over the bed of mint； between envy and scorn。 〃That was all a show； all that wonder and amazement； and asking who Saint Winifred was； and where to find her。 He knew it all along。 He'd already picked her out from those he's discovered neglected in Wales； and decided she was the one most likely to be available； as well as the one to shed most lustre on him。 But it had to e out into the open by miraculous means。 There'll be another prodigy whenever he needs his way smoothed for him； until he gets the girl here safely installed in the church； to his glory。 It's a great enterprise； he means to climb high on the strength of it。 So he starts out with a vision； and a prodigious healing； and divine grace leading his footsteps。 It's as plain as the nose on your face。〃
〃And are you saying；〃 asked Brother Cadfael mildly； 〃that Brother Columbanus is in the plot as well as Brother Jerome； and that falling fit of his was a fake； too？ I should have to be very sure of my reward in heaven before I volunteered to break the paving with my forehead； even to provide Prior Robert with a miracle。
Brother John considered seriously； frowning。 〃No； that I don't say。 We all know our meek white lamb is liable to the horrors over a penance scamped； and ecstasies over a vigil or a fast； and pouring ice…cold water over him at Holywell would be the very treatment to jolt him back into his right wits。 We could just as well have tossed him in the fish…pond here！ But of course he'd believe what they told him； and credit it all to the saint。 Catch him missing such a chance！ No； I wouldn't say he was a party to it…not knowingly。 But he gave them the opportunity for a splendid demonstration of grace。 You notice it was Jerome who was set to take care of him overnight！ It takes only one man to be favoured with a vision； but it has to be the right man。〃 He rolled a sprig of the young green leaves sadly between his palms； and the fragrance distilled richly on the early morning air。 〃And it will be the right men who'll acpany Prior Robert into Wales；〃 he said with sour certainty。 〃You'll see！〃
No doubt about it； this young man was hankering after a glimpse of the world again； and a breath of air from outside the walls。 Brother Cadfael pondered； not only with sympathy for his young assistant； but also with some pleasurable stirrings of his own。 So momentous an event in the otherwise even course of monastic life ought not to be missed。 Besides the undoubted possibilities of mischief！
〃True！〃 he said thoughtfully。 〃Perhaps we ought to take some steps to leaven the lump。 Wales should not be left with the notion that Jerome is the best Shrewsbury can muster； that's very true。〃
〃You have about as much chance of being invited as I；〃 said Brother John with his customary bluntness。 〃Jerome is sure of his place。 Prior Robert must have his right hand with him。 And Columbanus； fool innocent； was the instrument of grace； and could be made to serve the same turn again。 Brother Sub…Prior they have to take along； for form's sake。 Surely we could think up some way o
