"But the Prior said that she was our gracious patroness, and that her son would one day be our patron, and that we must drink the bitter cup."
"I can see how they all trembled!"
"One said that he had fever in his bones, another had trouble with his liver, a third said he was busy healing the sick, a fourth that he did not know either Hungarian or Slavic, and the fifth was bound by a holy vow not to speak to a woman."
"And so in the end they send Peter."
"The Devil's in you! You've guessed it!"
"It may turn out well for him."
"One thought he was still too young, and the Prior said, but he is of strong character; another that he would be exposed to great temptations; several objected that Peter was still a brother. Then the Prior said, we'll make him a father. Then all objected, and the Prior said, Then one of you must go. Then they all gave in and said, well, make Peter a father, and let Father Peter be the one to go."
And then both the students began to laugh. "Peter will be in the right place there!" In the mean time, the creaking of the cartwheels stopped at the rear door; then came a knock; through this rear gate was an entrance into the court, but the duty of door-tender was limited to the main entrance.
"Do you hear? Peter's knocking."
"You hear him, yourself."