could. Until the time of Justinian
silk-making was confined wholly to China, being in fact little known
anywhere in Europe before the reign of Emperor Augustus. What little
silk there was cost so much that no one dreamed of wearing it. At last,
however, some of the women of the royal houses of Rome ventured to use
it for robes of state; and then the very rich men gradually followed
their example and began to use it a little, for it was a cool, light
material to wear in hot weather. Weavers had not learned at that time to
make the rich silks such as we have to-day; nor were the heavy kinds
considered so beautiful as were the thinner varieties. But in time it
became the common opinion that such fragile textiles were no material
for men to wear; the Emperor feared the custom would make them vain and
foppish. Accordingly a law was passed forbidding male citizens to use
silk apparel."

Pierre laughed.

"But the Romans were no longer content with their coarse woolen robes,"
went on Monsieur le Cure. "They had seen silk and they wanted it. They
were a luxury loving people who eagerly caught up every form of elegance
that came in their way. Many of the rich had enjoyed the splendor and
comfort of silken garments and they were not to be deterred from
possessing them. Persian traders who possibly got their silk thread from
China, and who held the monopoly of the woven fabrics, began sending
their goods to Rome, charging for them most outrageous prices. Then came
the Persian invasion, and the program was reversed; for Rome turned on
the Orientals, levying such a high tax on the manufacture of silk that
the industry of the Persians was greatly injured. And all this time that
the Romans were wearing silk and fighting about it they were still
unable to find out where the silk fibre came from."

Pere Benedict broke into a hearty laugh.

"Did they ever find out?" inquired Marie whose eyes had scarcely left
the face of the priest.

"Of course they did, silly!" was Pierre's scornful response.

"Gently, son, to your little sister," said Monsieur le Cure.

Pierre flushed.

"They did find out, Marie," continued Pere Benedict kindly. "And it was
in a strange way, too."

"Tell us!" exclaimed both the boy and girl simultaneously.

"It chanced that there were two monks who were sent on a mission to
India, and who ventured within the borders of China. While there they
saw the Chinese raising silkworms, and returning to Rome they rel