forgiveness. I forgot the hour in my excitement. You are welcome to stay the night, and to eat whatever provisions are available."
Duncan thanked the Friar and left the room. A monk met him outside and escorted him to a bare stone room, with a low bench whereon lay a straw-stuffed mattress.
Having placed the bag, his only possession there, Duncan went to a large room where the monks were gathered. One of them stood at the head of a long table and intoned a Latin blessing, then food was passed along by two monks whose duty it was to serve everyone.
Duncan gratefully drank his goblet of wine, and chewed his hard, grainy bread. He ate also the plate of meat, leaving a very white, well-picked bone, then he went to his room and lay down to sleep.
While the monks muttered their prayers to Mary and all the saints, Duncan slept on his straw.
THE FRIAR LEAVES
Early the next day, before the sun had begun to strike the land with any heat, and mists lay thick upon the lakes, Duncan was on his feet and ready to go. He regretted missing a day's ploughing, especially since the land was soft, but the weather looked steady, so he knew he could resume the work as soon as he reached home again.
But before he stepped from his cold, stone room, he lay awake and listened to curious sounds. The first intimation he had that anything was amiss in those early hours was the sound of running feet. Sandals sped past his door several times, and this drew his curiosity. He opened his door and looked about.
"What be the matter?" he said, to a passing monk. "A terrible thing!" said the monk, running on, and leaving Duncan staring after him.
"Why do you run about so?" said Duncan to the next monk who came along, "Is there a fire?"
"No fire!" said the monk, "No Friar!"
Duncan went after the monk, beginning to think that the commotion might have something to do with his parchment, but not entertaining the thought too well, because he trusted the man. He arrived at the door to the Friar's room, where a number of monks were passing in and out, and saying things in both English and Latin.
"He has been taken to heaven!" said a monk rapturously.
"He has gone somewhere to pray?" said another.
