Finally, with a slow exhale, Monsignor Schrattenbach sat back in his chair and turned to Abbot Napp.
"As I was saying, the Bishop's representative will be requesting a chance to speak to the Realschule Board of Trustees next week. He will explain to them that this whole incident has been a mistake and that the Tomin boys be reinstated in the school at once."
Mendel gasped out loud, but Abbot Napp, more prepared simply nodded in agreement.
"And," said Klacel, "he will also be bringing some good news, won't he?"
"What good news would that be?" asked Schrattenbach through his teeth.
"Why, that the Bishop has firmly grasped the importance of the Emperor's directives on education and has agreed to provide the missing funds for the Freikinder program from his own purse."
This time both Napp and Mendel gasped out loud and Mendel jumped to his feet in excitement.
"That is marvelous news," he almost shouted. He had expected only the worst from this meeting, and instead he was hearing that his special program was going to be returned to full funding.
Behind his desk Schrattenbach kept his eyes on Klacel as he ran his finger along the edge of the empty leather binder that had once held the Bishop's speech.
"It has long been the wish of the Bishop to help the Realschule meet its goal of universal education," he said quietly, "but he will be away this weekend giving a speech to the Diet and the House of Deputies. If that speech goes well, I think he would be most generously inclined towards the Freikinder program."
"We all know the eloquence of the Bishop is something marvelous to behold," Brother Matthew responded, "I think all of us in this room would want the Bishop to give one of the best speeches of his life. I have every confidence that he will - so long as he is not troubled by these much more minor matters."
"Good," said Schrattenbach coming to his feet, "then I think we are finished here. A productive meeting I think." He held out his hand to Abbot Napp, who shook it automatically. Then he turned to Mendel. "Brother Gregory, I hear that you are both a good scientist and a good teacher. Please take some advice, stay within these fields of expertise, and have nothing to do with music in the future." He shook Mendel's hand and found it firm but slightly moist.
"I wonder if you two would wait outside for a few moments? There is something I want to say to Brother Matthew in complete confidence."
When they were alone, Schrattenbach reached out for a cigar and took his time lighting the end. When it was burning to his satisfaction he turned back to the monk.
"I don't like you, Klacel," he said without a trace of anger or emotion in his voice. "You represent all that I dislike about soft liberals who bleed for every cause, whine about every injustice, and then complain that the rest of us should pay to have the world reshaped in their distorted image." He waved the smoke away from his face and went on, "But that is beside the point. I will keep my side of our agreement, now you keep yours - where is my speech?"