epeters.amorbidtasteforbones-第5章

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en　on　either　bank。　We　do　not　congregate　in　villages　as　you　English　do。　Land　good　for　hunting　is　plentiful；　but　good　for　tillage　meagre。　Every　man　lives　where　best　suits　him　for　working　his　fields　and　conserving　his　game。〃
　〃It　is　a　very　fair　place；〃　said　the　sub…prior；　and　meant　it；　for　the　fold　on　fold　of　well…treed　hills　beyond　the　river　made　a　pattern　of　spring　beauty　in　a　hundred　different　greens；　and　the　water…meadows　were　strung　like　a　necklace　of　emeralds　along　the　fringes　of　a　necklace　of　silver　and　lapis…lazuli。
　〃Good　to　look　at；　hard　to　work；〃　said　Urien　practically。　〃See；　there's　an　ox…team　on　the　far　side　trying　to　break　a　new　strip；　now　all　the　rest　are　planted。　Watch　the　beasts　strain　at　it；　and　you'll　know　how　the　higher　ground　weighs。〃
　Across　the　river；　some　way　below　them　and　a　great　way　off；　the　snaky　curve　of　the　furrows　already　won　patterned　the　slope　between　cultivated　fields　and　leaning　trees；　a　dark　brown　writing　upon　the　hillside；　and　on　the　higher　furrow；　as　yet　unpleted；　the　oxen　leaned　into　their　yokes　and　heaved；　and　the　ploughman　behind　them　clung　and　dragged　at　the　heavy　share。　Before　the　leading　pair　a　man　walked　backwards；　arms　gently　waving　and　beckoning；　his　goad　only　a　wand；　flourished　for　magic；　not　for　its　sting；　his　high；　pure　calls　carried　aloft　on　the　air；　cajoling　and　praising。　Towards　him　the　beasts　leaned　willingly；　following　his　cries　with　all　their　might。　The　new…turned　soil；　greyish…brown　and　sluggish；　heaved　moist　and　fresh　to　light　after　the　share。
　〃A　harsh　country；〃　said　Urien；　as　one　assessing；　not　plaining；　and　set　his　horse　moving　downhill　towards　the　church。　〃e；　I'll　hand　you　over　to　Father　Huw；　and　see　you　well…received。〃
　They　followed　him　by　a　green　path　that　wound　out　of　the　hills；　and　soon　lost　its　view　of　the　valley　between　scattered；　flowering　trees。　A　wooden　house　or　two　showed　among　the　woods；　surrounded　by　small　garden　plots；　and　again　vanished。
　〃Did　you　see？〃　said　Brother　John　in　Cadfael's　ear；　pacing　beside　the　sumpter　mule。　〃Did　you　see　how　the　beasts　laboured　towards　that　fellow　not　to　escape　the　goad；　only　to　go　where　he　willed；　only　to　please　him？　And　such　labour！　That　I　should　like　to　learn！〃
　〃It's　labour　for　man　as　well　as　beast；〃　said　Brother　Cadfael。
　〃But　for　free　goodwill！　They　wanted　to　go　with　him；　to　do　what　he　wanted　them　to　do。　Brother；　could　devoted　disciples　do　more？　Do　you　tell　me　he　takes　no　delight　in　what　he　does？〃
　〃No　man　nor　God　who　sees　his　faithful　delight　to　serve　him；〃　said　Brother　Cadfael　patiently　and　carefully；　〃but　he　knows　delight。　Hush；　now；　we're　barely　here；　there'll　be　time　to　look　round　us。〃
　They　were　down　in　the　little　arena　of　grass　and　vegetable　plots；　clear　of　the　trees。　The　stone　church　with　its　tiny　turret　and　tinier　bell　visible　within　shone　blindingly　white；　bluish…white　against　all　the　lush　green。　And　out　of　the　cabbage…patch；　freshly　planted；　in　the　lee　of　the　wooden　cabin；　rose　a　small；　square　man　in　a　brown　sackcloth　gown　hoisted　to　the　knees；　thick　brown　legs　sturdy　under　him；　and　a　thicket　of　curly　brown　hair　and　beard　half…concealing　a　brown；　broad；　wondering　face　round　two　large；　dark…blue　eyes。　He　came　out　hastily；　scrubbing　his　hands　on　his　skirts。　At　close　quarters　his　eyes　were　larger；　bluer　and　more　astonished　than　ever；　and　as　timid　as　the　mild　eyes　of　a　doe。
　〃Good…day　to　you；　Father　Huw；〃　said　Urien；　reining　in　before　him；　〃I've　brought　you　distinguished　guests　from　England；　upon　important　church　business；　and　with　the　blessing　of　prince　and　bishop。〃
　When　they　had　ridden　into　the　clearing　the　priest　had　certainly　been　the　only　man　in　sight；　but　by　the　time　Urien　had　ended　his　greeting　a　score　of　silent；　sudden　figures　had　appeared　from　nowhere；　and　made　a　wary　and　curious　half…circle　about　their　pastor。　By　the　distracted　look　in　Father　Huw's　eyes　he　was　busy　reckoning　up　in　some　alarm　how　many　of　these　strangers　his　modest　hut　could　fittingly　house；　and　where　to　bestow　the　rest　of　them；　and　how　much　food　there　was　in　his　larder　to　make　a　meal　for　so　many；　and　where　he　could　best　mandeer　whatever　extra　was　needed。　But　no　question　of　not　extending　a　wele。　Guests　were　sacrosanct；　and　must　not　even　be　questioned　on　the　proposed　length　of　their　stay；　however　ruinous。
　〃My　poor　household　is　at　the　reverend　fathers'　disposal；〃　he　said；　〃and　whatever　powers　I　have　to　serve　them；　also。　You　e　fresh　from　Aber？〃
　〃From　Aber；〃　said　Urien；　〃from　Prince　Owain；　and　I　must　rejoin　him　there　tonight。　I　am　only　the　herald　for　these　Benedictine　brothers；　who　e　on　a　holy　errand；　and　when　I　have　explained　their　case　to　you；　then　I　leave　them　in　your　hands。〃　He　presented　them　by　name；　Prior　Robert　first。　〃And　have　no　fear　when　I　have　left；　for　Brother　Cadfael　here　is　a　man　of　Gwynedd　himself；　and　speaks　Welsh　as　well　as　you　do。〃
　Huw's　look　of　harassed　apprehension　was　immediately　eased；　but　in　case　he　should　be　in　any　doubt；　Cadfael　favoured　him　with　a　rapid　brotherly　greeting　in　the　promised　language；　which　gratifyingly　produced　the　identical　look　of　slight　distrust　and　insecurity　in　Prior　Robert's　normally　assured　grey　eyes。
　〃You　are　wele　to　this　poor　house　you　honour；〃　said　Huw；　and　ran　a　quick　eye　over　the　horses　and　mules　and　their　loads；　and　without　hesitation　called　a　couple　of　names　over　his　shoulder。　A　shaggy…headed　elder　and　a　sunburned　boy　of　about　ten　came　forward　readily　in　answer。　〃Ianto；　help　the　good　brother　water　the　beasts；　and　put　them　in　the　little　paddock　to　graze；　until　we　see　how　best　to　stable　them。　Edwin；　run　and　tell　Marared　we　have　guests；　and　help　her　bring　water　and　wine。〃
　They　ran　to　do　his　bidding；　and　several　of　the　others　who　had　gathered；　brown；　bare…legged　men；　slender　dark　women　and　half…naked　children；　drew　nearer；　conferred　softly　among　themselves；　and　the　women　slipped　away　to　their　own　cooking…fires　and　bake…ovens　to　bring　whatever　they　could　to　contribute　to　Gwytherin's　hospitality。
　〃While　it's　so　fine　and　mild；〃　said　Huw；　standing　aside　to　wave　them　into　the　little　enclosure　of　his　garden；　〃it　may　please　you　best　to　sit　in　the　orchard。　I　have　benches　and　table　there。　Through　the　summer　I　live　out　of　doors。　Time　enough　to　go　within　and　light　fires　when　the　days　draw　in　and　the　nights　grow　cold。〃
　His　holding　was　tiny　and　his　living　poor　enough　but　he　took　good　care　of　his　fruit…trees　and　was　a　diligent　gardener；　Brother　Cadfael　noted　with　approval。　And　for　one　who　seemed；　unlike　many　of　the　parish　priests　of　the　Celtic　persuasion；　to　be　celibate；　and　happily　so；　he　had　the　bare　little　house　and　grounds　in　very　neat　order；　and　could　produce　from　his　own　store；　or　his　parishioners'　shared　stock；　clean　wooden　trenchers　and　good　bread　to　put　on　them；　and　plain　but　presentable　drinking…horns　for　his　raw　red　wine。　He　performed　all　the　ceremonies　due　from　a　host　with　humble　dignity。　The　boy　Edwin　returned　with　a　lively　old　woman；　Huw's　neighbour；　bringing　food　and　drink。　And　all　the　while　that　the　visitors　sat　there　in　the　sun；　various　of　the　people　of　Gwytherin；　scattered　though　the　parish　might　be；　found　occasion　to　walk　past　the　wattle　fence　of　the　orchard　and　examine　the　party　carefully；　though　without　seeming　to　do　so。　It　was　not　every　day；　or　every　year；　indeed；　that　they　had　so　momentous　a　visitation。　Every　soul　in　the　parish　would　know　before　evening　not　only　that　monks　from　Shrewsbury　were　guests　at　Huw's　house；　but　also　how　many　they　were；　what　they　looked　like；　what　fine　horses　and　handsome　mules　they　had；　and　most　probably　what　they　had　e　for；　into　the　bargain。　But　the　eyeing　and　the　listening　were　done　with　perfect　courtesy　and　discretion。
　〃And　now；　since　Master　Urien　has　to　return　to　Aber；〃　said　Huw；　when　they　had　eaten　and　were　sitting　at　ease；　〃it　might　be　well　if　he　would　tell　me　in　what　particular　I　can　serve　the　brothers　of　Shrewsbury；　so　that　he　may　be　assured　we　understand　each　other　before　he　leaves　us。　And　whatever　is　in　my　petence　I　will　surely　do。〃
　Urien　told　the　story　as　he　had　heard　it；　and　Prior　Robert　elaborated　at　such　length　that　Brother　John；　growing　bored　and　restless；　let　his　eyes　stray　to　take　stock　of　the　occasional　figures　that　passed　along　the　fence；　with　alert　ears　and　shy　but　sharp　eyes。　His　interest　and　curiosity　were　somewhat　less　discreet　than　theirs。　And　there　were　some　very　handsome　girls　among　them！　The　one　passing　now；　for　instance；　her　step　graceful　and　slow…she　knew　she　was　watched！…and　her　hair　a　great；　heavy　braid　over　her　shoulder；　the　colour　of　polished　oak；　a　light；　silken　brown；　even　with　silvery　dashes　in　it　like　the　grain　of　oak。。。
　〃And　the　bishop　has　given　his　consent　to　your　proposal？〃　asked　Huw；　after　a　long　minute　of　silence；　and　in　a　voice　that　suggested　wonder　and　doubt。
　〃Both　bishop　and　prince　have　sanctioned　it。〃　Prior　Robert　was　uneasy　at　the　very　hint　of　a　hitch　at　this　stage。　'The　omens　have　surely　not　misled　us？　Saint　Winifred　is　here？　She　lived　out　her　restored　life　here；　and　is　buried　in　this　place？〃
　Huw　owned　that　it　was　so；　with　so　curious　an　intonation　of　caution　and　reluctance　that　Cadfael　decided　he　was　trying　to　recall　exactly　where　the　lady　was　to　be　found；　and　wondering　in　what　state　her　grave　would　be　discovered；　after　all　this　time　since　last　he　had　so　much　as　thought　of　it。
　〃She　is　here；　in　this　cemetery？〃　The　little　white…washed　church　gleamed　provocatively　in　the　sunshine。
　〃No；　not　here。〃　Some　relief　this　time；　he　did　not　have　to　reveal　her　whereabouts　immediately。　〃This　church　is　new　since　her　time。　Her　grave　is　in　the　old　burial…ground　of　the　wooden　church　on　the　hill；　a　mile　or　more　from　here。　It　is　long　disused。　Yes；　certainly　the　omens　favour　your　plans；　and　beyond　question　the　saint　is　here　in　Gwytherin。　But。。。〃
　〃But？〃　said　Prior　Robert　with　displeasure。　〃Both　prince　and　bishop　have　given　us　their　blessing；　and　mended　our　cause　to　you。　Moreover；　we　have　heard；　and　they　have　agreed；　that　the　saint　in　her　stay　here　among　you　has　been　much　neglected；　and　may　well　wish　to　be　received　where　greater　honour　will　be　paid　to　her。〃
　〃In　my　church；〃　said　Huw　humbly；　〃I　have　never　heard　that　the　saints　desired　honour　for　themselves；　but　rather　to　honour　God　rightly。　So　I　do　not　presume　to　know　what　Saint　Winifred's　will　may　be　in　this　matter。　That　you　and　your　house　should　desire　to　honour　her　rightly；　that　is　another　matter；　and　very　proper。　But。。。。　This　blessed　virgin　lived　out　her　miraculously　restored　life　in　this　place；　and　no　other。　Here　she　died　for　the　second　time；　and　here　is　buried；　and　even　if　my　people　have　neglected　her；　being　human　and　faulty；　yet　they　always　knew　that　she　was　here　among　them；　and　at　a　pinch　they　could　rely　on　her；　and　for　a　Welsh　saint　I　think　that　counts　for　much。　Prince　and　bishop…both　of　whom　I　reverence　as　I　ought…may　not　altogether　understand　how　my　flock　will　feel；　if　their　holiest　girl　is　to　be　dug　up　out　of　her　grave　and　taken　away　into　England。　It　may　matter　little　to　the　crown　and　the　crozier；　a　saint　is　a　saint　wherever　her　relics　rest。　But　I　tell　you　plainly；　the　people　of　Gwytherin　are　not　going　to　like　it　at　all！〃
　Brother　Cadfael；　stirred　to　an　atavistic　fervour　of　Welshness　by　this　homely　eloquence；　snatched　the　initiative　from　Urien　at　this　point；　and　translated　with　the　large　declamation　of　the　bards。
　In　ful