Part 11 (2/2)
”And wilt thou turn back to the right path?”
”Yes, yes, of course I will.”
”And thou wilt steal no more?”
”Not a c.o.c.kchafer.”
”Nor curse and swear?”
”Never no more.”
”Very well, then, I'll let thee go. But, colleague Magyari, first of all tie all these daggers and axes together and fling them out of the window.”
Mr. Magyari, who had meanwhile disposed of the magister by tying his hands and legs so tightly that he was unable to move a muscle, effected the clearance confided to him, while Brother Gregory deposited on the ground his convert, who leaned against the wall breathing heavily.
”Well, you monk of h.e.l.l, give me something to eat if there's anything like a kitchen here.”
”Oh, my dear son,” said the pater tenderly, stroking the face of his lambkin; ”believe me, that there is more joy in heaven over one converted sinner----”
”You're a devil, not a friar; for if you were a man of G.o.d you could not have got over Kokenyesdi so easily--Kokenyesdi, who was wont to overthrow whole armadas single-handed--and now to be beaten by an unarmed man!”
”Thou didst come against me with an axe and a _fokos_,[14] but I came against thee in the name of the Lord of Hosts, and He who permitted David the shepherd to pluck the raging lion by the beard and slay him, hath aided my arm also in order that I might be a blessing to thee.”
[Footnote 14: Sledge-hammer.]
”Blessing indeed!--hang me up! I deserve it for letting myself be collared by a parson.”
”Oh, my dear son, to attribute such flagrant cruelty to me! Heaven rejoices not in the death of a sinner.”
”Then let me go!”
”How could I let thee go when thou art but half converted? Rather remain here, my son, in this holy seclusion and try and cleanse thy soul by holy penance and prayer.”
The robber foamed with rage.
”Where is there a nail that I may hang myself upon it?”
”That thou certainly wilt never be able to do, for a worthy pater shall always be by thy side to teach thee how to sing the Psalter.”
The robber gnashed his teeth and stamped with his feet as he cast at the terrible brother bloodshot glances very similar to those which a hyena casts upon a beast-tamer whom he would like to tear to bits and grind to mincemeat, but whom he durst not attack, being well aware that if he but lay a paw or even cast an eye upon him he will instantly be felled to the ground.
”Besides that,” continued the brother, ”by way of a first trial thou shalt presently deliver a G.o.d-fearing discourse.”
”I preach a sermon!”
”Not exactly a sermon, but inasmuch as thy faithful followers outside the walls of the monastery may be growing impatient at thy long absence, thou wilt stand at a window and, after a.s.suring them of thy heart-felt penitence, thou wilt send the worthy fellows away that they may depart to their own homes.”
<script>