was accepting the changes quite well and she hugged him and said, 'We can sell the shoppe sume dee and use the muney to care for ourselves in our old age.'
Thomas kissed Elizabeth and asked with a grin, 'You will nay leave the shoppe, will you me lass?'
'Nay, I will never leave you.'
Thomas smiled warmly at Elizabeth and returned to preparing the meat.
'ow will we get 'im into the priesthood then?' asked Thomas.
''is great uncle Charles knows the new prior at the Lenton Priory, Prior Mydylburgh and 'e will provide a reference for James. The Priory is only aboot 8 miles away and we can see 'im on occasion.'
'And when wuld we do this?'
'Right away,' replied Elizabeth, ''e is already twelve.'
______
Elizabeth kissed James goodbye on a clear morning about two weeks later. 'You let your father ride the 'orse lad and you walk if need be,' she said to him. 'You can send word to us with the priest at Saint Michael's. 'ave you the food that I packed for you?'
'Aye, mum. I a ready to go,' replied James with some excitement to be off.
'Now you do everything that the brothers tell you to do lad,' she made him promise.
'Aye, mum. I will,' said James with an obvious air of impatience.
''e is a big lad, me luv,' replied Thomas, coming to his defense. ''e will do fine.'
Elizabeth had tears welling up in her eyes now. She had never sent James away before. He had been at her side daily.
Thomas hugged his wife with a promise to be home before supper and with that, they were off.
It was a beautiful day and they made good time. They were standing in front of the Priory before it was time for lunch. The monks were gathering for the afternoon meal and Thomas asked one of them where he might find Prior Mydylburgh. The monk offered to take them to the Prior. They found him seated in the dining hall.
'Prior Mydylburgh,' stated the monk, 'these two 'ave comb from Lambley to see you.'
'Welcome friends,' said the Prior. 'Sit and dine with us. It is a simple meal, boot there is plent'y. After we eat, we will talk of your business.'
Thomas thanked him graciously and he and James sat at the table. James was surprised that the hall was entirely silent during the meal. He had never been in any group that was so utterly silent. At one point in the meal, he leaned over to his father to whisper, but the swift look of one of the monks caused him to reconsider.
After the meal, they followed in silence as the Prior and the Subprior, along with one brother of the priory led them to another room where they could speak. James noticed that all the monks and novices seemed to know exactly what it was they were supposed to be doing at every moment. And they all seemed very busy.
The Prior was a tall man. He was thin and had dark hair and a square jaw. He appeared old to James, maybe in his fifties. The Subprior was quite a lot older still. James thought that he was as old as his great uncle, Charles, maybe in his seventies. The Subprior was also shorter than the Prior, with gray hair. He had a stern look about him.
Once inside the room and the door shut, the Prior seated himself in a large chair. James had never seen a chair so large. Despite its size, it certainly did not have the appearance of being comfortable.
'Now, please state your business,' urged the Prior. 'Whot can we poor servants do for you?'
Thomas bowed his head in recognition of Prior's position and status and said, 'Me sone desires to join your order and be one with the brothers of your priory. I 'ave a let'er 'ere from 'is great uncle, Charles, who lives in Lambley.'
The Prior smiled in recognition of the name and asked for the letter. He studied it carefully and then looked steadfastly at James, making James uncomfortable. James had never been in the presence of someone so important and he was filled with excitement. He also realized that he was staring at the Prior. He quickly bowed his head also.
'Whot is your name lad?' asked the Prior.
'It is James, me lord,' he replied.
'You may call me Prior, sone.' James felt his face flush. He thought that he should have known better and he was a little embarrassed.
The Prior continued. 'Is it true that you wish to