And
what said he, being a pleasant man? marry, that while he could crook
his little finger he would keep hold of the crosier with it."
The Sacristan also strongly remonstrated against the resolution of his
Superior, and set down the insufficiency he pleaded to the native
modesty of his disposition. The Abbot listened in downcast silence;
even flattery could not win his ear.
Father Eustace took a nobler tone with his disconcerted and dejected
Superior. "My Lord Abbot," he said, "if I have been silent concerning
the virtues with which you have governed this house, do not think that
I am unaware of them. I know that no man ever brought to your high
office a more sincere wish to do well to all mankind; and if your rule
has not been marked with the bold lines which sometimes distinguished
your spiritual predecessors, their faults have equally been strangers
to your character."
"I did not believe," said the Abbot, turning his looks to Father
Eustace with some surprise, "that you, father, of all men, would have
done me this justice."
"In your absence," said the Sub-Prior, "I have even done it more
fully. Do not lose the good opinion which all men entertain of you,
by renouncing your office when your care is most needed."
"But, my brother," said the Abbot, "I leave a more able in my place."
"That you do not," said Eustace; "because it is not necessary you
should resign, in order to possess the use of whatever experience or
talent I may be accounted master of.
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