"Have you ever let any one know you were here?"
"I have never let any one know." The Abbot answered drily:
"I do not believe you!"
Benedetto did not flinch.
"You know why I do not believe you?" the Abbot continued.
"I can imagine why," Benedetto answered, dropping his eyes. "_Peccatum
meum contra me est semper_."
"Rise!" the Abbot commanded, still inflexible. "I expel you from the
monastery. You will now go and take leave of Don Clemente, in his cell,
and then you will depart, never to return. Do you understand?"
Benedetto bowed his head in assent, and was about to bend his knee to
pay homage in the usual way, when the Abbot stopped him with a gesture.
"Wait," said he.
Putting on his glasses he took a sheet of paper, upon which he traced
some words, standing the while,
"What will you do, when you have left?" he asked still writing.
Benedetto answered softly:
"Does the sleeping child that his father lifts in his arms know what his
father will do with him?"
The Abbot made no answer; his writing finished, he placed the paper in
an envelope, closed it, and without turning his head, held it out to
Benedetto, who was standing behind him.
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