Chapter 4 Summary

too eager. Arkos shows Cheroki the ??, which the Abbot says someone has figured out can be expanded (reading right-to-left) to Leibowitz. Leaving Francis in the desert to dig up more, which had not been Cheroki's reason for sending him in. The abbot orders him to see Francis and then send him to him.

Around 9 AM, Francis knocks timidly on the abbot's door. Sleep and a little food have restored him enough to be afraid of the abbot. Arkos invites him in affably but swiftly turns accusatory, condemning his desire for overnight fame and hubris in believing he is called to religion. Arkos demands Francis deny meeting anyone in the desert, since no pilgrim stopped at the abbey as his story goes. When Francis refuses, Arkos administer ten mighty whacks of a hickory ruler to his buttocks, to which the novice responds, "Deo gratias...