Long after the Monastery had settled down for the night and the porter had placed the evening light at the gateway, two monks sat comfortably around the kitchen table alternately pouring generous portions of burca into their glasses and nibbling on a plate of uzeny syr.
"This wine has lasted well," Brother Matthew said contentedly swishing the last of the Monastery's 'young wine' around in his glass.
"It goes well with the smoked cheese," agreed Brother Victor, picking up another morsel and popping it into his mouth. "A pity Brother Gregory is not here to help us enjoy it."
"Oh, I think he is happy enough for all of us. He couldn't help babbling all the way back from the Palace how grateful he was to the Bishop for agreeing to fund his 'sparrows', and how he was going to redouble his efforts to give them a superior science education."
"Curious," said Brother Victor emptying the second bottle and reaching for a third, "how the Monsignor dismissed all of Brother Timothy's testimony and let the Tomin boys get away without so much as a harsh word from the Headmaster."
"Oh, not so curious when you appreciate the depth of his intellect and understand the pressures under which he has to work. Why, he writes all the Bishop's important speeches, did you know that?"
"Does he?" said Brother Victor passing the smoked cheese to his friend.
"Indeed he does," Brother Matthew told him with a full mouth, "Apart from his love of education, may the Lord bless him, the Monsignor takes on many other responsibilities including that of putting the words into the Bishop's mouth. And fine words they are too."
"A grave responsibility that must weigh heavy on his shoulders," agreed Brother Victor.
"Heavy indeed," nodded Brother Matthew, "especially when he leaves windows open in his Palace."
"Ahh," said Brother Victor, seeing at last how Brother Matthew had been able to put such pressure on the Bishop's secretary and save Brother Gregory's sparrows. "Small birds could easily fly in such windows."
"They could."
"And in all innocence collect ... some papers, perhaps?"
"As nesting material."
"As nesting material ... yes. But this is a fine wine, don't you agree Brother Matthew? I must congratulate you on keeping it so fresh."
"I like to preserve what is good in life," said the monk, who was now feeling the effects of the young wine and was beginning to think kindly of his bed. But the kitchen was warm and the cheese particularly tasty.
"And when the Monsignor had told you all about the new funding for the Freikinder program, I suppose a great weight of responsibility was lifted from his shoulders?"
"It was."
"And he was free to concentrate on his speech once more?"
"He was."
"But the sparrows, wouldn't they get into even more trouble for 'borrowing' the speech in the first place?"
Klacel looked at his friend suspiciously. "What on earth do you mean? No one at the school knew anything about the Bishop's speech. Fortunately, before I left the Palace, I was able to remind the Monsignor that, with all his other duties, he has simply forgotten that he had given the speech to Brother Timothy so he could help with the proof reading. I think we heard a messenger from the Palace arrive earlier this evening to pick it up."
The kitchen apprentices the next day were surprised to find that Brother Victor was already in the kitchen at four a.m. looking distinctly hung over. But, despite a serious headache, he repeatedly burst out into fits of giggles throughout the morning and when one apprentice had the courage to ask what was wrong, all he got in reply was an imitation of a small bird cheeping.