“Has it often been used?”

“Three times in twenty years, each time by a woman who had decided to be a nun against the wishes of her family.”

They sat on a cold stone bench on the north wall, and Agatha said: “I admire you. It takes guts to stand up to a man such as Wynstan.”

“It takes more than guts to defeat him, though,” said Aldred ruefully.

“We have to try. It’s our mission.”

“I agree.”

Her tone became practical. “I have a suggestion to make,” she said. “A way of lifting our spirits in midwinter.”

“What do you have in mind?”

“I’d like to bring the nuns to the church tomorrow for the Christmas service.”

Aldred was intrigued. “What gave you that idea?”

Agatha smiled. “The fact that it was a woman who brought our Lord into the world.”

“That’s true. So we should have female voices joining in with our Christmas hymns.”

“That’s what I thought.”

“In addition, the women might improve the singing.”

“They might,” said Agatha, “especially if I leave Sister Frith behind.”

Aldred laughed, but said: “Don’t do that. Bring everyone.”

“I’m so glad you like the idea.”

“I love it.”

Agatha stood up, and Aldred did the same. It had been a short conversation, but she was not one for idle chatter. They walked out of the church.

Aldred saw that Edgar was talking to a man dressed in a filthy robe. He was barefoot despite the cold. He had to be one of the wretches the nuns fed.

Agatha said: “Oh, dear, poor Cuthbert has got lost again.”

Aldred was shocked. Coming closer he saw the dirty rag that bandaged the man’s eyes like a blindfold. Cuthbert must have been brought here from Shiring, by some kind soul, to join the community of lepers and other helpless people who depended on the nuns, Aldred thought; and then he felt guilty that he had not been that kind soul. He had been too occupied with his own troubles to think in a Christlike way about helping others.

Cuthbert was speaking to Edgar in low, harsh tones. “It’s your fault I’m like this,” he said. “Your fault!”

“I know,” said Edgar.

Agatha raised her voice. “Cuthbert, you’ve wandered into the nuns’ zone again. Let me lead you back.”

Edgar said: “Wait.”

Agatha said: “What is it?”

Edgar said: “Aldred, a few minutes ago you asked if there was something you could do for me by way of reward for buttressing the church.”

“I did.”

“I’ve thought of something. I want you to take Cuthbert into the priory.”

Cuthbert gasped with shock.

Aldred was moved. For a few moments he could not speak. After a few moments he said in a choked voice: “Would you like to become a monk, Cuthbert?”

Cuthbert said: “Yes, please, Brother Aldred. I’ve always been a man of God—it’s the only life I know.”

“You’d have to learn our ways. A monastery is not like a minster, not really.”