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was some reassurance in that, for
however tormented, he was still asleep, and if the nature of his sleep could be
changed, he might awake unscathed. Prior Robert was not far behind the starers
now, and would not hesitate to seize and shake the rigid shoulder readiest to
his hand, in peremptory displeasure. Cadfael eased an arm cautiously round the
braced shoulders instead and held him close. Meriet shuddered and the rhythm of
his distressful crying hiccuped and faltered. Cadfael set down his candle, and
spread his palm over the young man’s forehead, urging him gently down to his
forsaken pillow. The wild crying subsided into a child’s querulous whimper,
stuttered and ceased. The stiff body yielded, softened, slid down into the bed.
By the time Prior Robert reached the bedside, Meriet lay in limp innocence,
fast asleep and free of his incubus.
    Brother
Paul brought him to chapter next day, as needing guidance in the proper
treatment of one so clearly in dire spiritual turmoil. For his own part, Paul
would have been inclined to content himself with paying special attention to
the young man for a day or two, trying to draw from him what inward trouble
could have caused him such a nightmare, and accompanying him in special prayers
for his peace of mind. But Prior Robert would have no delays. Granted the
novice had suffered a shocking and alarming experience the previous day, in the
accident to his fellow, but so had all the rest of the labourers in the
orchard, and none of them had awakened the whole dortoir with his bellowings in
consequence. Robert held that such manifestations, even in sleep, amounted to
willful acts of self-display, issuing from some deep and tenacious demon
within, and the flesh could be best eased of its devil by the scourge. Brother
Paul stood between him and the immediate use of the discipline in this case.
Let the matter go to the abbot.
    Meriet
stood in the centre of the gathering with eyes cast down and hands folded,
while his involuntary offence was freely discussed about his ears. He had
awakened like the rest, such as had so far recovered their peace as to sleep
again after the disturbance, when the bell roused them for Matins, and because
of the enjoined silence as they filed down the night-stairs he had known of no
reason why so many and such wary eyes should be turned upon him, or why his
companions should so anxiously leave a great gap between themselves and him. So
he had pleaded when finally enlightened about his misbehaviour, and Cadfael
believed him.
    “I
bring him before you, not as having knowingly committed any offence,” said
Brother Paul, “but as being in need of help which I am not fitted to attempt
alone. It is true, as Brother Cadfael has told us—for I myself was not with the
party yesterday—that the accident to Brother Wolstan caused great alarm to all,
and Brother Meriet came upon the scene without warning, and suffered a severe
shock, fearing the poor young man was dead. It may be that this alone preyed
upon his mind, and came as a dream to disturb his sleep, and no more is needed
now than calm and prayer. I ask for guidance.”
    “Do
you tell me,” asked Radulfus, with a thoughtful eye on the submissive figure
before him, “that he was asleep throughout? Having roused the entire dortoir?”
    “He
slept through all,” said Cadfael firmly. “To have shaken him awake in that
state might have done him great harm, but he did not wake. When persuaded, with
care, he sank into a deeper level of sleep, and was healed from his distress. I
doubt if he recalls anything of his dream, if he did dream. I am sure he knew
nothing of what had happened, and the flurry he had caused, until he was told
this morning.”
    “That
is true, Father,” said Meriet, looking up briefly and anxiously. “They have
told me what I did, and I must believe it, and God knows I am sorry. But I
swear I knew nothing of my offence. If I had dreams,