Brother Cadfael 11: An Excellent Mystery

the same idol. Besides,' she added, viewing a future that held a certain promise even for some who felt just now that they had only a past, 'I doubt if that household of her brother's, with a wife in possession, and three children, not to speak of another on the way - no, I doubt if an unwed sister's part in Lai will have much lasting attraction for a woman like Julian Cruce.'
    The half-hour of rest after dinner had passed, the brothers stirred again to their work, and so did Cadfael, parting from his friends at the turn of the box hedge. Sister Magdalen and her two stout woodsmen would be off back to Godric's Ford by the westward track, and Hugh was heading thankfully for home. Cadfael passed through the herb-garden into the small plot where he had a couple of apple trees and a pear tree of his own growing, just old enough to crop. He surveyed the scene with deep content. Everything was greening afresh where it had been pale as straw. The Meole Brook had still a few visible shoals, but was no longer a mere sad, sluggish network of rivulets struggling through pebble and sand. September was again September, mellowed and fruitful after the summer heat and drought. Much of the abundant weight of fruit had fallen unplumped by reason of the dryness, but even so there would still be harvest enough for thanksgiving. After every extreme the seasons righted themselves, and won back the half at least of what was lost. So might the seasons of men right themselves, with a little help by way of rain from heaven.
    O God, who hast consecrated the state of Matrimony to such an excellent mystery…Look mercifully, upon these thy servants.