Mark felt that it was not his place to argue with the Reverend Brother, and he merely asked him what reply he was to give to the chaplain.

“Tell him that the key of the Tabernacle is kept by me while the Reverend Father is away, and that I regret I cannot give it to him.”

The priest’s eyes blazed with anger when Mark returned without the key.

“Who is the Reverend Brother?” he rasped.

“Brother George.”

“Yes, but what is he?  Apothecary, tailor, ploughboy, what?”

“Brother George is the Prior.”

“Well, please tell the Prior that I should like to speak to him instantly.”

When Mark found Brother George he had already doffed his habit, and was dressed in his farmer’s clothes to go working on the land.

“I’ll speak to Mr. Hett before Sext.  Meanwhile, you can assure him that the key of the Tabernacle is perfectly safe.  I wear it round my neck.”

Brother George pulled open his shirt, and showed Mark the golden key hanging from a cord.

On receiving the Prior’s message, the chaplain asked for a railway time-table.

“I see there is a fast train at 10.30.  Please order the trap.”

“You’re not going to leave us?” Mark exclaimed.

“Do you suppose, Brother Mark, that no bishop in the Establishment will receive me in his diocese because I am accustomed to give way?  I should not have asked for the key of the Tabernacle unless I thought that it was my duty to ask for it.  I cannot take it from the Reverend Brother’s neck.  I will not stay here without its being given up to me.  Please order the trap in time to catch the 10.30 train.”

“Surely you will see the Reverend Brother first,” Mark urged.  “I should have made it clear to you that he is out in the fields, and that all the work of the farm falls upon his shoulders.  It cannot make any difference whether you have the key now or before Sext.  And I’m sure the Reverend Brother will see your point of view when you put it to him.”

“I am not going to argue about the custody of God,” said the chaplain.  “I should consider such an argument blasphemy, and I consider the Prior’s action in refusing to give up the key sacrilege.  Please order the trap.”

“But if you sent a telegram to the Reverend Father . . .  Brother Dominic will know where he is . . .  I’m sure that the Reverend Father will put it right with Brother George, and that he will at once give you the key.”

“I was summoned here as a priest,” said the chaplain.  “If the amateur monk left in charge of this monastery does not understand the prerogatives of my priesthood, I am not concerned to teach him except directly.”

“Well, will you wait until I’ve found the Reverend Brother and told him that you intend to leave us unless he gives you the key?” Mark begged, in despair at the prospect of what the chaplain’s departure would mean to a Community already too much divided against itself.