XV.
Toward the middle of Lent the Society of the Holy Gethsemane was visited by its ecclesiastical Visitor. This was the Bishop of the diocese, a liberal-minded man and not a very rigid ecclesiastic, abrupt, brusque, businesslike, and a good administrator. When the brothers had gathered in the community room, he took from the Superior the leathern-bound volume containing the rule of the Brotherhood and read aloud the text of it.
“And now, gentlemen,” he said, “whether I approve of your rule or not is a matter with which we have no concern at present. My sole duty is to see that it is lawfully administered. Are you satisfied with the administration of it and willing to remain under its control?”
There was only one response from the brothers—they were entirely satisfied.
The Bishop rose with a smile and bowed to the brothers, and they began to leave the room.
“There are two of my people whom you have not yet seen,” said the Father.
“Where are they?”
“In their cells.”
“Why in their cells?”
“One of them is ill; the other is under the rule of silence and solitude.”