He was not long in
discovering that the latter was ill satisfied with his present
position, and was ambitious to take part in more important affairs, and
he presently said:
"I wonder, father, that a man of your ability should be content to
remain as chaplain in a border hold, when there are so many
opportunities beyond, for one like you, to make his way in the church."
"In truth," the priest said, "I have had such thoughts myself; and
hope, some day, to see a little more of the world.
"By the way, can you read and write, brother?" he asked suddenly.
"Assuredly," Roger replied.
He guessed, at once, that the question had been put at the instigation
of William Baird; who perhaps still had some doubts whether he was
really a monk, and an affirmative answer would be an almost conclusive
proof that he was so, for very few outside the walls of the convents,
even among the nobles and knights, possessed any knowledge of letters.
"I have a missal here," the priest said carelessly, "that has somewhat
troubled me, being written in a cramped hand. Perhaps you could read it
for me," and, getting up, he took a roll from a closet.
Roger smiled quietly, as he turned it over. By a private mark upon it,
he knew that it had been written at Alnwick, and was doubtless the
proceed of some foray upon a monastery across the border.
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