The room was drafty and barren except for one long table and benches. Old Julia had set out the wooden bowls of soup, and crackers, thoughtfully remembering to set an extra one for Penny. No other food was in evidence.
“Soup again?” asked one of the cult members in bitter disappointment. “We are hungry!”
“We’ve had little more than soup since we came here!” exclaimed another old lady plaintively.
“Are you so soon forgetting your vows?” chided Father Benedict. “Material things have no true meaning.”
Grumbling a little, the women sat down at the table and began to eat. Penny took an empty place near the door. She tasted the soup and nearly gagged.
Father Benedict did not join the group. After lingering a few minutes he quietly slipped away. This offered Penny an opportunity to leave without arousing the monk’s suspicions.
“I must learn more about that girl who is locked up here somewhere!” she thought. “Perhaps I can help her escape!”
Still wearing the white robe, Penny started back to the cloister. The cult ceremony which she had witnessed greatly disturbed her.
“Father Benedict is taking unfair advantage of these people,” she told herself. “He accepts their jewels and gives nothing in return. Furthermore, he is cruel!”
Voices in the cloister directly ahead warned the girl to proceed cautiously. Keeping close to the wall and holding her robe tightly about her, she crept closer to the fountain.