A Canticle for Leibowitz - Walter M. Miller [99]
“But the abstractions would never occur to me in the first place, Thon Taddeo.”
“We would make a good team, Brother. I wish you would join us at the collegium, at least for a while. Do you think your abbot would grant you leave?”
“I would not presume to guess,” the inventor murmured, suddenly uncomfortable.
Thon Taddeo turned to the others. “I’ve heard mention of ‘brothers on leave.’ Isn’t it true that some members of your community are employed elsewhere temporarily?”
“Only a very few, Thon Taddeo,” said a young priest.
“Formerly, the Order supplied clerks, scribes, and secretaries to the secular clergy, and to both royal and ecclesiastical courts. But that was during the times of most severe hardship and poverty here at the abbey. Brothers working on leave have kept the rest of us from starving at times. But that’s no longer necessary, and it’s seldom done. Of course, we have a few brothers studying in New Rome now, but-”
“That’s it!” said the thon with sudden enthusiasm. “A scholarship at the collegium for you, Brother. I was talking to your abbot, and-”
“Yes?” asked the young priest;
“Well, while we disagree on a few things, I can understand his point of view. I was thinking that an exchange of scholarships might improve relations. There would be a stipend, of course, and I’m sure your abbot could put that to good use.”
Brother Kornhoer inclined his head but said nothing.
“Come now!” The scholar laughed. “You don’t seem pleased by the invitation, Brother.”
“I am flattered, of course. But such matters are not for me to decide.”
“Well, I understand that, of course. But I wouldn’t dream of asking your abbot if the idea displeased you.”
Brother Kornhoer hesitated. “My vocation is to Religion,” be said at last, “that is-to a life of prayer. We think of our work as a kind of prayer too. But that-” he gestured toward his dynamo “-for me seems more like play. However, if Dom Paulo were to send me-”
“You’d reluctantly go,” the scholar finished sourly. “I’m sure I could get the collegium to send your abbot at least a hundred gold hannegans a year while you were with us, too. I-” He paused to look around at their expressions. “Pardon me, did I say something wrong?”
Halfway down the stairs, the abbot paused to survey the group in the basement. Several blank faces were turned toward him. After a few seconds Thon Taddeo noticed the abbot’s presence and nodded pleasantly.
“We were just speaking of you, Father,” he said. “If you heard, perhaps I should explain-”
Dom Paulo shook his head. “That’s not necessary.”
“But I would like to discuss-”
“Can it wait? I’m in a hurry this minute.”
“Certainly,” said the scholar.
“I’ll be back shortly.” He climbed the stairs again. Father Gault was waiting for him in the courtyard.
“Have they heard about it yet, Domne?” the prior asked grimly.
“I didn’t ask, but I’m sure they haven’t,” Dom Paulo answered. “They’re just making silly conversation down there. Something about taking Brother K back to Texarkana with them.”
“Then they haven’t heard, that’s certain.”
“Yes. Now where is he?”
“In the guesthouse, Domne. The medic’s with him He’s delirious.”
“How many of the brothers know he’s here?”
“About four. We were singing None when he came in the gate.”
“Tell those four not to mention it to anyone. Then join our guests in the basement. Just be pleasant, and don’t let them know.”
“But shouldn’t they he told before they leave, Domne?”
“Of course. But let them get ready first. You know it won’t stop them from going back. So to minimize embarrassment, let’s wait until the last minute to tell them. Now, do you have it with you?”
“No, I left it with his papers in the guesthouse.”
“I’ll go see him. Now, warn the brothers, and join our guests.”
“Yes, Dome.”
The abbot hiked toward the guesthouse. As be entered, Brother Pharmacist was just leaving the fugitive’s room.