Peter the Priest

There were six of them besides the Prior and Abbot. The seventh was away in the village, collecting the gifts of charity. «Benedicite,» began the Prior. «Here is a message from our most gracious patroness.» With that he laid upon the table a sealed letter in Latin, which the others passed from hand to hand. All understood it, but it was evident that not one of them liked the letter, for they turned up their noses, pursed their lips and knit their eyebrows. «One of us is bidden