Summary

In “To Work,” Cormac uses what a “mason at Cluain Mhic Nóis taught him” to discern which stones will be best for the altar (145). Meanwhile, Trian builds pens for the auks. He will use their feathers to make quills for writing. He wonders why God set humans “apart from the beasts and the fowls” (146). The only difference in them is “in the making” (147). While preparing to help Artt with the manuscripts, he “soothes himself” with a Bible verse (148).

Artt instructs Trian on their approach to the manuscripts. Trian is convinced he will make a mistake. As he writes, Trian feels strange using “the plain Gaelic” instead of “the language of Rome” (152).

Artt inspects Cormac’s altar, praising God for its completion. When they prepare for Communion, they notice the bread is moldy. Artt says it does not matter, because it...