Secretary Dr. Schwippel did not like what he saw. Brother Timothy was an exceedingly tall, spare man, of indeterminate age, but probably older than Mendel. Locks of dark, lank, wavy hair fell backwards down his long neck and overlapped his collar. But on top of his head nature had thinned out the hair to faint wisps that only served to emphasize a boney forehead. An aquiline, pointed nose separated deep-set, dark eyes that held no warmth. Thin lips constantly rubbed together and never turned upwards in pleasure or a smile. Brother Timothy was not the sort of man with whom Secretary Schwippel liked to do business. Soft hearted himself, Schwippel recognized, in an instinctive, animalistic way the latent danger lurking behind the smooth faced monk. It would be dangerous to have Brother Timothy as an enemy, and behind you. The timid natural history teacher gave an internal shiver and nervously glanced around the room, looking for an excuse to escape.
"Excuse me, Brother Gregory, Abbot Napp, but I must greet our members and their guests," he said, backing away. "But after your presentation, perhaps we could talk? We need to resolve some matters about the new honorary members of our Society." At its founding, the Natural Science Society had voted to propose twenty-four honorary members, including Abbot Napp. Now there was a movement to increase that number.
"Of course, Herr Schwippel," said Abbot Napp. He had noticed the snubbing of Brother Timothy. "We are at your service." He too looked around the room, and spotted an important member by the window. "Brother Gregory, we will leave you to prepare. Come Brother Timothy." He strode off with as much dignity as his round frame afforded, his boots clicking on the tiled floor. With a slight bow to Secretary Schwippel, for he too had noticed the discourtesy, Brother Timothy moved after his superior. But his feet made no sound on the tiles.
"Come," Schwippel said to Brother Gregory with some visible relief, "your guest has arrived." He plucked at the monk's sleeve, and turned him in the direction of Makytta and Brother Matthew, who had stayed back during the previous exchange.
"Johann!," said Makytta opening his arms and moving forward to hug his former pupil. Then he hurriedly corrected himself, "Er, Brother Gregory, it is good to see you again after all these years." Mendel's face broke into one of its famous smiles and his eyes lit up behind the gold rimmed glasses.
"Herr Makytta," he exclaimed with delight, "is that really you, let me hold you". The two men clasped each other warmly and drew together.
"You are cold, come closer to the stove. When did you arrive?" beamed Mendel, glad to see his old mentor after almost 20 years.
"My train arrived only a couple of hours ago," replied the school teacher, "Brother Matthew met me and we came straight here." Greatfully he moved into the small circle of warmth and peered at his former pupil.
"Ever since I saw the announcement of your talk to the Society I wanted to see you again. It was good of you to invite me." He grasped Mendel's arms in his hands and pulled him close. "They still remember you in the village, and Theresa constantly reminds everyone how well you are doing." Mendel's round cheeks blushed with pride and embarrassment. He was not normally a demonstrative person, and he flushed easily at compliments.
"That is very kind," he stammered, "Theresa is a wonderful sister, but what could possibly interest you in my humble work?"
Thomas Makytta laughed, "Don't you remember, how you used to help Father Schreiber with his fruit trees? Those thousands of seeds he and you collected and planted that summer. If I remember correctly, wasn't it Schreiber who became a founding member of the Pomological Association?"
"It was," agreed Mendel, "you and he taught me much that I value. I still use some of the classroom techniques I learnt in your school."
"So you still teach?" replied Makytta, it being his turn to blush at the complement.
"Yes," replied the monk, "here at the local high school. I find it very rewarding. But," he grinned, "I never make my pupils clean out the chicken coup." At this the two men laughed. It was a long standing tradition at the village school, where funds were always short and classes always large, that older pupils helped pay for their tuition by assisting the school teacher in unauthodox ways.
They laughed. "So how long will you be able to stay in Brno?"
"I retired several years ago, and I now clean out my own chicken coup," replied Makytta, drying his eyes. "I can stay as long as I like."
"Good, good," said Mendel. Then he turned to Brother Matthew, "We can have him as our guest at the monastery."
"Of course," agreed Brother Matthew, "I'll take care of him. But shouldn't you be preparing for your talk? There will be plenty of time to catch up on old memories later."
Guiltily, Mendel nodded. "You are right, I must give a good talk and I would welcome the opportunity to go over my data again. But come, let me find you some seats."