epeters.amorbidtasteforbones-第7章

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　〃You　are　one　of　the　monks　from　Shrewsbury；〃　she　said　with　certainty。　And　to　his　astonishment　she　said　it　in　fluent　and　easy　English。
　〃I　am；〃　said　Cadfael。　〃But　how　did　you　e　to　know　all　about　us　so　soon？　I　think　you　were　not　among　those　who　made　it　their　business　to　walk　along　Huw's　garden　fence　while　we　were　talking。　There　was　one　very　young　girl；　I　remember；　but　not　a　black　lass　like　you。〃
　She　smiled。　She　had　an　enchanting　smile；　sudden　and　radiant。　〃Oh；　that　would　be　Annest。　But　everybody　in　Gwytherin　knows　by　now　all　about　you；　and　what　you've　e　for。　Father　Huw　is　right；　you　know；〃　she　warned　seriously；　〃we　shan't　like　it　at　all。　Why　do　you　want　to　take　Saint　Winifred　away？　When　she's　been　here　so　long；　and　nobody　ever　paid　any　attention　to　her　before？　It　doesn't　seem　neighbourly　or　honest　to　me。〃
　It　was　an　excellent　choice　of　words；　he　thought；　and　marvelled　how　a　Welsh　girl　came　by　it；　for　she　was　using　English　as　if　she　had　been　born　to　it；　or　e　to　it　for　love。
　〃I　question　the　propriety　of　it　myself；　to　be　truthful；〃　he　agreed　ruefully。　〃When　Father　Huw　spoke　up　for　his　parish；　I　confess　I　found　myself　inclining　to　his　side　of　the　argument。〃　That　made　her　look　at　him　more　sharply　and　carefully　than　before；　frowning　over　some　sudden　doubt　or　suspicion　in　her　own　mind。　Whoever　had　informed　her　had　certainly　witnessed　all　that　went　on　in　Father　Huw's　garden。　She　hesitated　a　moment；　pondering；　and　then　launched　at　him　unexpectedly　in　Welsh：　〃You　must　be　the　one　who　speaks　our　language；　the　one　who　translated　what　Father　Huw　said。〃　It　seemed　to　trouble　her　more　than　was　reasonable。　〃You　do　know　Welsh！　You　understand　me　now。〃
　〃Why；　I'm　as　Welsh　as　you；　child；〃　he　admitted　mildly；　〃and　only　a　Benedictine　in　my　middle　years；　and　I　haven't　forgotten　my　mother…tongue　yet；　I　hope。　But　I　marvel　how　you've　e　to　speak　English　as　well　as　I　do　myself；　here　in　the　heart　of　Rhos。〃
　〃Oh；　no；〃　she　said　defensively；　〃I've　only　learned　a　very　little。　I　tried　to　use　it　for　you；　because　I　thought　you　were　English。　How　was　I　to　know　you'd　be　just　that　one？〃　Now　why　should　his　being　bilingual　cause　her　uneasiness？　he　wondered。　And　why　was　she　casting　so　many　rapid；　furtive　glances　aside　towards　the　river；　brightly　glimpsed　through　the　trees？　Where；　as　he　saw　in　a　glance　just　as　swift　as　hers；　the　tall；　fair　youngster　who　was　no　Welshman；　and　was　certainly　the　finest　ox…caller　in　Gwynedd；　had　broken　away　from　his　placidly…drinking　team；　and　was　wading　the　river　thigh…deep　towards　this　particular　tall　oak；　in　a　flurry　of　sparkling　spray。　The　girl　had　been　ensconced　in　this　very　tree；　whence；　no　doubt；　she　had　a　very　good　view　of　the　ploughing。　And　came　down　as　soon　as　it　was　finished！　〃I'm　shy　of　my　English；〃　she　said；　pleading　and　vulnerable。　〃Don't　tell　anyone！〃
　She　was　wishing　him　away　from　here；　and　demanding　his　discretion　at　the　same　time。　His　presence；　he　gathered；　was　inconvenient。
　〃I've　known　the　same　trouble　myself；〃　he　said　fortably；　〃when　first　I　tried　getting　my　tongue　round　English。　I'll　never　call　your　efforts　into　question。　And　now　I'd　better　be　on　my　way　back　to　our　lodgings；　or　I　shall　be　late　for　Vespers。〃
　〃God　go　with　you；　then；　Father；〃　she　said；　radiant　and　relieved。
　〃And　with　you；　my　child。〃
　He　withdrew　by　a　carefully　chosen　route　that　evaded　any　risk　of　bumping　into　the　fair　young　man。　And　she　watched　him　go　for　a　long　moment；　before　she　turned　eagerly　to　meet　the　ox…caller　as　he　came　splashing　through　the　shallows　and　climbed　the　bank。　Cadfael　thought　that　she　was　perfectly　aware　how　much　he　had　observed　and　understood；　and　was　pleased　by　his　reticence。　Pleased　and　reassured。　A　Welsh　girl　of　status；　with　embroidery　along　the　hems　of　her　gown；　had　good　need　to　go　softly　if　she　was　meeting　an　outlander；　a　man　landless　and　rootless　here　in　a　clan　society；　where　to　be　without　place　in　a　kinship　was　to　be　without　the　means　of　living。　And　yet　a　very　pleasing；　ely　young　man；　good　at　his　work　and　feeling　for　his　beasts。　Cadfael　looked　back；　when　he　was　sure　the　bushes　covered　him；　and　saw　the　two　of　them　draw　together；　still　and　glad；　not　touching；　almost　shy　of　each　other。　He　did　not　look　back　again。
　Now　what　I　really　need　here；　he　thought　as　he　walked　back　towards　the　church　of　Gwytherin；　is　a　good；　congenial　acquaintance；　someone　who　knows　every　man；　woman　and　child　in　the　parish；　without　having　to　carry　the　burden　of　their　souls。　A　sound　drinking　panion　with　good　sense　is　what　I　need。
　
　Chapter　Three
　He　found　not　one　of　what　he　wanted；　but　three　at　one　stroke；　after　pline　that　evening；　when　he　walked　back　with　Brother　John　in　the　twilight　to　the　smithy　and　croft　at　the　edge　of　the　valley　fields。　Prior　Robert　and　Brother　Richard　had　already　withdrawn　for　the　night　into　Huw's　house；　Jerome　and　Columbanus　were　on　their　way　through　the　woods　to　Cadwallon's　holding；　and　who　was　to　question　whether　Brother　Cadfael　had　also　gone　to　his　pallet　in　the　priest's　loft；　or　was　footloose　among　the　gossips　of　Gwytherin？　The　lodging　arrangements　were　working　out　admirably。　He　had　never　felt　less　inclined　for　sleep　at　this　soft　evening　hour；　nor　was　anyone　going　to　rouse　them　at　midnight　here　for　Matins。　Brother　John　was　delighted　to　introduce　him　into　the　smith's　household；　and　Father　Huw　favoured　the　acquaintance　for　his　own　reasons。　It　was　well　that　others　besides　himself　should　speak　for　the　people　of　the　parish；　and　Bened　the　smith　was　a　highly　respected　man；　like　all　of　his　craft；　and　his　words　would　carry　weight。　There　were　three　men　sitting　on　the　bench　outside　Bened's　door　when　they　arrived；　and　the　mead　was　going　round　as　fast　as　the　talk。　All　heads　went　up　alertly　at　the　sound　of　their　steps　approaching；　and　a　momentary　silence　marked　the　solidarity　of　the　local　inhabitants。　But　Brother　John　seemed　already　to　have　made　himself　wele；　and　Cadfael　cast　them　a　greeting　in　Welsh；　like　a　fisherman　casting　a　line；　and　was　accepted　with　something　warmer　than　the　strict　courtesy　the　English　would　have　found。　Annest　with　the　light…brown；　sunflecked　hair　had　spread　word　of　his　Welshness　far　and　wide。　Another　bench　was　pulled　up；　and　the　drinking…horns　continued　their　circling　in　a　wider　ring。　Over　the　river　the　light　was　fading　gradually；　the　dimness　green　with　the　colours　of　meadow　and　forest；　and　threaded　through　with　the　string　of　silver　water。
　Bened　was　a　thickset；　muscular　man　of　middle　years；　bearded　and　brown。　Of　his　two　panions　the　younger　was　recognisable　as　the　ploughman　who　had　followed　the　ox…team　that　day；　and　no　wonder　he　was　dry　after　such　labour。　And　the　third　was　a　grey…headed　elder　with　a　long；　smoothly…trimmed　beard　and　fine；　sinewy　hands；　in　an　ample　homespun　gown　that　had　seen　better　days；　perhaps　on　another　wearer。　He　bore　himself　as　one　entitled　to　respect；　and　got　it。
　〃Padrig；　here；　is　a　good　poet　and　a　fine　harpist；〃　said　Bened；　〃and　Gwytherin　is　lucky　to　have　him　staying　a　while　among　us；　in　Rhisiart's　hall。　That's　away　beyond　Cadwallon's　place；　in　a　forest　clearing；　but　Rhisiart　has　land　over　this　way；　too；　both　sides　the　river。　He's　the　biggest　landowner　in　these　parts。　There　are　not　many　here　entitled　to　keep　a　harp；　or　maybe　we'd　be　honoured　with　more　visits　from　travelling　bards　like　Padrig。　I　have　a　little　harp　myself…I　have　that　privilege…but　Rhisiart's　is　a　fine　one；　and　kept　in　use；　too。　I've　heard　his　girl　play　on　it　sometimes。〃
　〃Women　cannot　be　bards；〃　said　Padrig　with　tolerant　scorn。　〃But　she　knows　how　to　keep　it　tuned；　and　well　looked　after；　that　I　will　say。　And　her　father's　a　patron　of　the　arts；　and　a　generous；　open…handed　one。　No　bard　goes　away　disappointed　from　his　hall；　and　none　ever　leaves　without　being　pressed　to　stay。　A　good　household！〃
　〃And　this　is　Cai；　Rhisiart's　ploughman。　No　doubt　you　saw　the　team　cutting　new　land；　when　you　came　over　the　ridge　today。〃
　〃I　did　and　admired　the　work；〃　said　Cadfael　heartily。　〃I　never　saw　better。　A　good　team　you　had　there；　and　a　good　caller；　too。〃
　〃The　best；〃　said　Cai　without　hesitation。　〃I've　worked　with　a　good　many　in　my　time；　but　never　known　one　with　the　way　Engelard　has　with　the　beasts。　They'd　die　for　him。　And　as　good　a　hand　with　all　cattle；　calving　or　sick　or　what　you　will。　Rhisiart　would　be　a　sorry　man　if　ever　he　lost　him。　Ay；　we　did　a　good　day's　work　today。〃
　〃You'll　have　heard　from　Father　Huw；〃　said　Cadfael；　〃that　all　the　free　men　are　called　to　the　church　tomorrow　after　Mass；　to　hear　what　our　prior　is　proposing。　No　doubt　we　shall　see　Rhisiart　there。〃
　〃See　and　hear　him；〃　said　Cai；　and　grinned。　〃He　speaks　his　mind。　An　open…hearted；　open…natured　man；　with　a　temper　soon　up　and　soon　down；　and　never　a　grudge　in　him；　but　try　and　move　him　when　his　mind's　made　up；　and　you're　leaning　on　Snowdon。〃
　〃Well；　a　man　can　but　hold　fast　to　what　he　believes　right；　and　even　the　opponent　he　baulks　should　value　him　for　that。　And　have　his　sons　no　interest　in　the　harp；　that　they　leave　it　to　their　sister？〃
　〃He　has　no　sons；〃　said　Bened。　〃His　wife　is　dead；　and　he　never　would　take　another；　and　there's　only　this　one　girl　to　follow　him。〃
　〃And　no　male　heir　anywhere　in　his　kinship？　It's　rare　for　a　daughter　to　inherit。〃
　〃Not　a　man　on　his　side　the　family　at　all；〃　said　Cai；　〃and　a　pity　it　is。　The　only　near　kin　is　her　mother's　brother；　and　he　has　no　claim；　and　is　old　into　the　bargain。　The　greatest　match　anywhere　in　this　valley；　is　Sioned；　and　young　men　after　her　like　bees。　But　God　willing；　she'll　be　a　contented　wife　with　a　son　on　her　knee　long　before　Rhisiart　goes　to　his　fathers。〃
　〃A　grandson　by　a　good　man；　and　what　could　any　lord　want　more。〃　said　Padrig；　and　emptied　the　jug　of　mead　and　passed　the　horn　along。　〃Understand　me；　I'm　not　a　Gwytherin　man　myself；　and　have　no　right　to　give　a　voice　one　way　or　the　other。　But　if　I　may　say　a　word　my　friends　won't　say　for　themselves…you　having　your　duty　to　your　prior　as　Cai　has　to　his　lord；　or　I　to　my　art　and　my　patrons…don't　look　for　an　easy　passage；　and　don't　take　offence　if　your　way　is　blocked。　Nothing　personal　to　you！　But　where　the　free　men　of　Wales　see　no　fair　dealing；　they　won't　call　it　by　fair　names；　and　they　won't　stand　aside。〃
　〃I　should　be　sorry　if　they　did；〃　said　Cadfael。　〃For　my　part；　the　ending　I　want　is　the　fair　ending；　leaving　no　man　with　a　just　grievance。　And　what　of　the　other　lords　we　can　expect　to　see　there？　Of　Cadwallon　we've　heard；　two　of　our　brothers　are　enjoying　his　hospitality。　And　his　lands　are　neighbour　to　Rhisiart's？〃
　〃It's　a　fair　piece　beyond　to　Rhisiart's　hall；　on　through　the　forest。　But　they're　neighbours；　boundary　to　boundary；　yes；　and　friends　from　youth。　A　peaceable　man；　Cadwallon；　he　likes　his　fort　and　his　hunting。　His　way　would　be　to　say　yes　to　whatever　bishop　and　prince　mend；　but　then；　his　way　normally　is　also　to　say　yes　to　Rhisiart。　For　that　matter；〃　owned　Bened；　tilting　the　last　drop　from　the　horn；　〃I　know　no　more　than　you　what　either　of　them　will　have　to　say　in　this　matter。　For　all　I　know　they'll　accept　your　omens　and　bless　your　errand。　If　the　free　voice　goes　with　your　prior；　then　Saint　Winifred　goes　home　with　you；　and　that's　the　end　of　it。〃
　It　was　the　end　of　the　mead；　too；　for　that　night。
　〃Bide　the　night　here；〃　said　Bened　to　Padrig；　when　the　guests　rose　to　walk　home；　〃and　we'll　have　a　little　music　before　you　leave　tomorrow。　My　small　harp　needs　to　be