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before him； when the horse stumbled and fell and would not rise。
〃A murrain on the beast！〃 muttered Robin angrily； tugging in vain at
the creature on whom death had taken pity。 〃I must e'en leave him by the
wayside and tell Richard what hath befallen。〃
He stooped to loose the halter； and as he bent to his task a man slipped
from the shadow of the hedge into the quiet moonlight。 There was a thud；
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a dull cry； and Robin fell prone across the horse's neck … a pace beyond
him in the moonlight shone the gleam of gold。
Next day Dickon's child died； ay； and the other five followed with
scant time between the buryings。 Another had fathered them and filled
the gaping mouths； but men shuddered at his care； for it was the Black
Death that they had deemed far from them。
Pale and woebegone they clustered on the green。 News had come of
Robin … he was dead when they found him … but no man gave heed。 Death
was in the air； death held them safe in walls they might not scale。 The
heavens were brass； food failed for man and beast； God and man alike had
forsaken them。 The forest lay one side； the river； now but a shallow
sluggish stream； lay the other； 'twas a cleft stick and the springe tightened。
No evil had as yet befallen Dickon。 He stood with the rest and
murmured； cursing。 All at once he made for the ale…house。
〃Fools that we are to stand like helpless brats when there is liquor
enough and to spare in yon cellars。 He who is minded to go dry throat to
Heaven had best make haste； for me I will e'en swill a bucket to the devil's
health； and so to hell。〃
Half…a…dozen men followed him； pushing aside mine host who strove
to bar the door。 Some of the women fell on their knees and clamoured in
half delirious prayer； the rest slunk dismayed to their pestilent homes。
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CHAPTER VII … THE VISION OF THE
EVENING AND THE MORNING
MEANWHILE； news came to the Monastery of the ill case of the
village； for it lay scarce a league away across the forest； but the pine…trees
stood as guardian angels in between。
The Prior summoned the whole Convent； according to the ruling of
Blessed Benedict when the matter is a grave one； and told the tidings。
Then he went on to give reason for their assembling。
〃My Brethren； it is in my heart that we dare not leave these poor；
stricken sheep to die alone without shepherding； moreover； in their fear
and desolation； they may flee to other villages； and so the terror and pest
spread ever further。 And I deem that； inasmuch as Charity is greater than
Faith or Hope； so it is greater than obedience also。 Wherefore I purpose
to set aside the Rule of our Order in the letter that I may hold to it in the
spirit； and go forth to serve these perishing brethren； and I will take with
me whosoever hears the call of God in this visitation。〃
When he had made an end； there was silence in the Chapter。 Break
cloister； the Prior himself urging them thereto？ The Convent might
scarce credit its ears。
Prior Hilarius watched his children with a tender smile on his white
face； and a prayer on his lips that love might have its triumph。
Five monks stood up； among them the Sub…Prior； and seven novices
sprang also to their feet。
〃Nay； Brother Walter；〃 said Hilarius； turning to the Sub…Prior； 〃this
flock must have its shepherd also； thy place is here。 But I will take with
me Brother Simon and Brother Leo； who will doubtless suffice at first for
the ministry； and … 〃 smiling at the novices … 〃all these dear lads to tend the
sick and bury the dead。〃
The Sub…Prior ventured on a remonstrance。
〃Good Father； it is not fitting that thou should'st go on such an errand；
send me in thy stead； for my life is a small thing as compared with thine。
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Moreover these novices； 'tis but the other day the Master gave them as
lazy and ill…conditioned； and … 〃
The Prior held up his hand。
〃Dear Brother； I thank thee for thy love and care for me； but my call
has come。 As for these … 〃 he stretched out his hand towards the waiting
novices … 〃maybe they are in the wrong school； and the Lord hath even
opened the door that they may serve Him； perchance die for Him；
elsewhere。 And shall I count myself wiser than Prior Stephen； who set
me without the gate to learn my lesson？ Let us go in peace； my children；
for we are about the Lord's business。〃
Very early next day； having eaten of Heavenly manna； the little band
embraced their brethren and set out； laden with food and wine and herbs
from the farmery； and the Prior appointed a place to which the Convent
should send daily all things needed。
The shade of the forest was very welcome in the hot； breathless
sunshine； and the scent of the pine…needles； odorous； pungent； rose at each
footfall from the silent path。 The Brethren chanted the Gradual Psalms
as they paced two and two through the sun…lit aisles； full of the Prior's
memories； and he looked up again to see Our Lady's robe across the tree…
tops。 Then all at once the Psalm broke； and Brother Simon； who was
leading； stayed suddenly。
Under a bush beside the track lay a man； naked save for filthy rags； his
hair and beard matted with moss and leaves； his eyes sunk； his lips drawn
apart in a ghastly grin。 Hilarius made haste to kneel beside him； and lo！
sudden remembrance lighted the fast… glazing eyes； but his own answered
not。
〃My son； my son；〃 said the Prior； and his voice was very pitiful； 〃thou
art indeed in evil case； let me shrive thee ere it be too late。〃
He motioned the others to stand back； and raising the heavy head upon
his shoulder； bent close to catch the whisper of the parched lips。
At first no sound came； and then a hoarse word reached him。
〃The Convent's hens！〃
The Prior stared amazed； then once more the laboured voice …
〃Hast forgot thy theft； and the dancer？〃
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Hilarius needed no further word； in a moment the years were wiped
away。
〃Lad； lad； to find thee again； and in such sorry plight！ But see； stay
not thy shriving； for the time is short； and the Lord ever ready to pardon。〃
The man strove in vain to speak。 At last he said quite clearly： 〃I
hunger；〃 and so saying died。
The Prior was greatly moved； and for a while he knelt in prayer； while
the Brethren； amazed； waited his pleasure。 Then he rose； and lo！ before
him lay the open glade where his schooling had begun； and he had seen a
flower incarnate dance in the wind。
He bade them lift the dead； and lay him in the hollow of the glade
under fallen branches until they could return and give him burial。 Then； as
they went on their way； he told the tale of his little maid； and when the
telling was ended； the village they had come to succour was in sight； and
lo！ they saw it through a mist。
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CHAPTER VIII … 〃BEHOLD THE FIELDS ARE
WHITE〃
THE Prior's heart was ready； and it seemed to him as he passed up the
village and saw the huddled； helpless people； that his little maid led him
by the hand。
Brother Simon； Brother Leo； and the novices turned aside to speak
comfort and carry succour to the sick and fearful； and to bury the dead； for
three unshriven souls had passed to judgment and mercy。 Hilarius made
straight for the ale…house。
As he crossed the green； the door opened and Dickon stumbled blindly
down the steps。 At sight