“Speak truth, my daughter,” said a voice from the doorway which rather disconcerted Hawise. “Thou canst not understand my actions—in what respect?”
“I humbly crave your pardon, Father; but I am really distressed about Beatrice.”
“Indeed!—how so?”
“She understands nothing about Christian duties.”
“I hope that is a little more than truth. But if not,—let her understand Christ first, my child: Christian duties will come after.”
“Forgive me, Father—without teaching?”
“Not without His teaching,” said Bruno, gravely. “Without mine, it may be.”
“But, Father, she does not know the five commandments of holy Church. Nay, she asks what ‘the Church’ means.”
“If she be in the Church, she can wait to know it. Thy garments will not keep thee less warm because thou hast never learned how to weave them.”
Hawise did not reply, but she looked unconvinced.