Читать книгу Glamorous Powers - Susan Howatch - Страница 46

In the workshop where four monks made church furniture I introduced myself to Edward the master-carpenter, and informed him that I had been ordered to work with wood. He looked incredulous. Manual labour is encouraged at all levels of the Order and I did my share of gardening alongside my brethren at Grantchester, but nonetheless an abbot is hardly expected to seek work as an artisan.

‘I was trained by Alfred at Ruydale,’ I said.

Edward became deferential. ‘What would you like to do, Father?’

I did not answer the question directly but said: ‘Is it too much to hope that you’ve got some seasoned oak to spare?’

He had the oak. It seemed like a sign. With the wood in my arms I moved in exhilaration to the work-bench and embarked on my first carpentry assignment for ten years.