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."