“‘Poor fellow,’ he said; ‘he will die.’
“‘Yes,’ said the young monk, ‘unless—’
“‘Unless—’ said the prior.
“‘Yes, unless,’ said the young monk; and he horrified the prior by telling him all his ideas, while the other monks shook their heads.
“‘It could not be done,’ they said. ‘It would be too horrible.’
“‘There is no horror in performing an act like that to save a man’s life,’ said the young monk; ‘it is a duty.’
“‘But it would kill the poor fellow,’ they chorused.
“‘He will die as it is,’ said the young monk. ‘You said as much when I came in, and I am sure of it.’
“‘Yes,’ said the prior sadly, ‘he will die.’
“‘This might save his life,’ said the young monk; but the old men shook their heads.