His mother had a villa at
Nursia, the home of my youth. Once he turned aside from a journey to
visit me when I dwelt at Sublaqueum.'
The reminiscence checked his tongue he kept silence for a moment,
musing gravely.
'But these are old stories, my Basil, and you are young. Tell me
somewhat of your parents, and of your own life. Did not your good
father pass away whilst at Constantinople?'
Thus, with perfect simplicity, with kindliest interest in things
human, did Benedict draw the young man into converse. He put no
question that touched on the inner life, and Basil uttered not a
word concerning his late distress, but they touched for a moment
upon public affairs, and Basil learnt, without show of special
interest, that Totila still lingered in Campania.
'Your follower, Deodatus,' said the abbot presently, 'begs each day
for permission to see you. The good fellow has not lived in
idleness; he is a brave worker in wood, and by chance we much needed
one of his craft. Not many things of this world give me more
pleasure than to watch a cunning craftsman as he smooths timber, and
fits the pieces together, and makes of them something that shall
serve the needs of men.
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