Job's Pool 



the very places that he searched for; and unerring 

 instinct led him to their hoard. Even turtle-head 

 was worth a scramble and though he would not 

 filch the casket, he would risk a tumble to look 

 upon the gentian's tight locked box of blue. But 

 should he catch the glimpse of scarlet robe, no 

 papal guard of bush or briar could withhold him 

 from a fine conference of Cardinals. He must 

 see their Eminences at their sitting, though he 

 was too reverent to disturb their meditations with 

 a word. 



At last, however, of his own accord, he headed 

 for a beech, wedged tight against a cliff and 

 holding to the rocks below with silver sinuous 

 roots. This beech he used to say was like some 

 jolly friar with ruddy face and comfortable girth 

 who understood the frailties of men and took a 

 greater interest in their gossip than their sins. 

 In its companionship cotdd one talk freely, teU 

 a jest, or open up a bottle, and be sure of hearing 

 a quick chuckle in the leaves. 



The pine ahead was of a different order, of 

 an austere brotherhood whose vows set it apart. 

 To such a one, a sinner made confession not of 



[139] 



