“Well, at least you don’t mind if we come in and warm ourselves at your hospitable fire,” Penny said, determined not to be turned away. “Since the organization is devoted to charity, shouldn’t it begin with a couple of school girls?”
Father Benedict’s thin lips cracked into a slight smile.
“My observation would lead me to believe that the day is a warm one and that neither of you are suffering from frost-bite. However, I admire perseverance and it shall be rewarded. You may come in—though only for a short while.”
“Oh, thank you, Father!” Penny exclaimed, rather astonished by the decision.
In her eagerness to enter, she nearly stumbled over Old Julia, who huddled by the wall just inside the door. Angrily, the monk glared at his servant.
“Keep from underfoot, Julia!” he ordered. “Begone to the kitchen!”
The old woman, with a frightened glance directed at Louise and Penny, scurried away.
Once inside, the girls could understand why visitors were not welcome, for little had been done to make the place habitable since Penny’s previous visit.
Through chilly halls the monk conducted the girls to the study beyond the cloister. There he motioned them to footstools before the fire. On the hearth a large log which Penny suspected had come from the Eckenrod property, had burned down to a cherry mass of coals.
“Now, suppose you tell me what you actually came here to learn?” Father Benedict asked, looking hard at Penny.