“I don’t say it’s you, man; we shall know better when we have looked into your accounts; but I’ll have a word to say at Welbeck.”
“We are to share a room, Dr. Layton,” put in Ralph. “At least—”
The doctor turned round again at that, and stormed once more.
“I cannot help it, gentlemen,” retorted the Abbot desperately. “I have given up my own chamber already. I can but do my best.”
Ralph hastened to interpose. His mind revolted at this coarse bullying, in spite of his contempt at this patient tolerance on the part of the Abbot.
“I shall do very well, my Lord Abbot,” he said. “I shall give no trouble. You may put me where you please.”
The young prelate looked at him gratefully.
“We will do our best, sir,” he said. “Will you come, gentlemen, and see your chambers?”
Layton explained to Ralph as they went along the poor little cloister that he himself had only arrived an hour before.
“I had a rare time among the monks,” he whispered, “and have some tales to make you laugh.”