"It does not matter," Ercole explained. "Is not a mass for a man good for a woman also?"
"We say 'his' soul or 'her' soul, as the case may be, my son."
"Is that written in the book of the mass?" inquired Ercole distrustfully.
"Yes. Also, most people tell us the baptismal name of the dead person."
"Must I do that too?" Ercole asked, by no means pleased.
"Not unless you like," the monk answered, looking at him with some curiosity.
"But it is in the book of the mass that you must say 'his' or 'her' soul?"
"Yes."
"Then the masses will not be good unless you say the right word." Ercole paused a moment in deep thought, and looked down at his hat. "It will be better to say the masses for a female," he said at length, without meeting the monk's eyes.
"Very well," the latter answered. "I will say the first mass to-morrow."