World Without End Page 0,377

out of his arms. Everyone else seemed glad. They knew and trusted her, and she had won even more loyalty by staying while Godwyn fled.

She would make the most of it. "Three matters I want to take care of urgently on my first day as acting prior," she said. "First, drunkenness. Today I saw Duncan Dyer unconscious in the street before dinner time. I believe this contributes to an atmosphere of debauchery in the town, which is the last thing we need during this dreadful crisis."

There were loud sounds of approval. The parish guild was dominated by the older and more conservative of the town merchants. If they ever got drunk in the morning, they did it at home where no one could see.

Caris went on: "I want to give John Constable an extra deputy and instruct him to arrest anyone found drunk in daylight. He can put them in the jail until they sober up."

Even Elfric was nodding.

"Second is the question of what happens to the property of people who die without heirs. This morning I found Joseph Blacksmith and Toby Peterson fighting in the street over three chickens belonging to Jack Marrow."

There was laughter at the idea of grown men fighting over such trifles.

Caris had thought out her solution to that problem. "In principle, such property reverts to the lord of the manor, which for Kingsbridge residents means the priory. However, I don't want the monastery buildings filled up with old clothes, so I propose to waive the rule for anyone whose possessions are worth less than two pounds. Instead, the two nearest neighbours should lock up the house, to make sure nothing is taken; then the property should be inventoried by the parish priest, who will also hear the claims of any creditors. Where there is no priest they can come to me. When any debts have been paid, the deceased's personal possessions - clothing, furniture, food and drink - will be divided up among the neighbours, and any cash given to the parish church."

There was widespread approval for this, too, most people nodding and murmuring agreement.

"Finally, I found a thirteen-year-old orphan girl trying to sell her body outside the White Horse. Her name is Ismay, and she did it because she had nothing to eat." Caris looked around the room with a challenging stare. "Can anyone tell me how such a thing could possibly happen in a Christian town? All her family are dead - but did they have no friends or neighbours? Who allows a child to starve?"

Edward Butcher said in a low voice: "Ismay Taylor is a rather badly behaved child."

Caris was not accepting excuses. "She's thirteen!"

"I'm just saying that she might have been offered help and spurned it."

"Since when did we allow children to make such decisions for themselves? If a child is orphaned, it is the duty of every one of us to take care of her. What does your religion mean, if not that?"

They all looked shamefaced.

"In future, whenever a child is orphaned, I want the two nearest neighbours to bring the child to me. Those who cannot be placed with a friendly family will move into the priory. The girls can live with the nuns, and we will turn the monks' dormitory into a bedroom for boys. They can all have lessons in the morning and do suitable work in the afternoon."

There was general approval for that, too.

Elfric spoke up. "Have you finished, Mother Caris?"

"I think so, unless anyone wants to discuss the details of what I have suggested."

No one spoke up, and the members began to move in their seats as if the meeting was over.

Then Elfric said: "Some of the men here may remember that they elected me as alderman of the guild."

His voice was full of resentment. Everyone fidgeted impatiently.

"We have now seen the prior of Kingsbridge accused of theft and condemned without trial," he went on.

That went down badly. There was a rumble of dissent. No one thought Godwyn innocent.

Elfric ignored the mood of the room. "And we have sat here like slaves and let a woman dictate the laws of the city to us. By whose authority are drunks to be imprisoned? Hers. Who is the ultimate judge of inheritance? She is. Who will dispose of the city's orphans? She will. What have you come to? Are you not men?"

Betty Baxter said: "No."

The men laughed.

Caris decided not to intervene. It was unnecessary. She glanced at the bishop, wondering if