World Without End Page 0,513

the waterfront, with nobody to get help. So I fear we may not escape entirely. But I believe my plan gives you the best chance of still having Anselm and Selma by your side at Christmas."

"Then we'll do it," Madge said decisively.

"Your support is crucial," Caris said. "Frankly, you will lose more money than anyone else from the cancellation of the fair. For that reason, people are more likely to believe you. I need you to say how serious it is."

"Don't worry," said Madge. "I'll tell them."

"A very sound idea," said Prior Philemon.

Merthin was surprised. He could not remember a time when Philemon had agreed readily with a proposal of the guild's. "Then you will support it," he said, to make sure he had heard aright.

"Yes, indeed," said the prior. He was eating a bowl of raisins, stuffing handfuls into his mouth as fast as he could chew them. He did not offer Merthin any. "Of course," he said, "it wouldn't apply to monks."

Merthin sighed. He might have known better. "On the contrary, it applies to everyone," he said.

"No, no," said Philemon, in the tone of one who instructs a child. "The guild has no power to restrict the movements of monks."

Merthin noticed a cat at Philemon's feet. It was fat, like him, with a mean face. It looked just like Godwyn's cat, Archbishop, though that creature must be long dead. Perhaps it was a descendant. Merthin said: "The guild has the power to close the city gates."

"But we have the right to come and go as we please. We're not subject to the authority of the guild - that would be ridiculous."

"All the same, the guild controls the city, and we have decided that no one can enter while the plague is rife."

"You cannot make rules for the priory."

"But I can for the city, and the priory happens to be in the city."

"Are you telling me that if I leave Kingsbridge today, you will refuse me admission tomorrow?"

Merthin was not sure. It would be highly embarrassing, at a minimum, to have the prior of Kingsbridge standing outside the gate demanding admission. He had been hoping to persuade Philemon to accept the restriction. He did not want to put the resolve of the guild to the test quite so dramatically. However, he tried to make his answer sound confident. "Absolutely."

"I shall complain to the bishop."

"Tell him he can't enter Kingsbridge."

The personnel of the nunnery had hardly changed in ten years, Caris realized. Nunneries were like that, of course: you were supposed to stay for ever. Mother Joan was still prioress, and Sister Oonagh ran the hospital under the supervision of Brother Sime. Few people came here for medical care, now: most preferred Caris's hospital on the island. Those patients Sime did have, devoutly religious for the most part, were cared for in the old hospital, next to the kitchens, while the new building was used for guests.

Caris sat down with Joan, Oonagh and Sime in the old pharmacy, now used as the prioress's private office, and explained her plan. "People outside the walls of the old city who fall victim to the plague will be admitted to my hospital on the island," she said. "While the plague lasts, the nuns and I will stay within the building night and day. Nobody will leave, except those lucky few who recover."

Joan asked: "What about here in the old city?"

"If the plague gets into the city despite our precautions, there may be too many victims for the accommodation you have. The guild has ruled that plague victims and their families will be confined to their homes. The rule applies to anyone who lives in a house struck by plague: parents, children, grandparents, servants, apprentices. Anyone caught leaving such a house will be hanged."

"It's very harsh," Joan said. "But if it prevents the awful slaughter of the last plague, it's worth while."

"I knew you'd see that."

Sime was saying nothing. The news of the plague seemed to have deflated his arrogance.

Oonagh said: "How will the victims eat, if they're imprisoned in their homes?"

"Neighbours can leave food on the doorstep. No one may go in - except monk-physicians and nuns. They will visit the sick, but they must have no contact with the healthy. They will go from the priory to the home, and from the home back to the priory, without entering any other building or even speaking to anyone on the street. They should wear masks at all times, and