est treasure in the world.

There came to stay at the castle an Abbot, a wise and brave man,
before whom even the Baron was awed; and he had much talk with
Christopher, who opened his heart to him. The Abbot found that he
could read, and knew the stories of the saints and the answers of the
Mass, and had discernment of good and evil. So the Abbot sought out
the Baron, and told him that Christopher would make a very wise
priest, and that he was apt to be ruled, and therefore, said he, he
will be apt to rule; and he added that he thought that the boy would
make a great counsellor, and even bishop; and then the Baron said that
Christopher had no courage and endurance. The Abbot replied that he
believed he had both, but that they were of a different nature to the
courage and endurance of a man-at-arms; that he was of the stuff of
which holy men, martyrs and saints, were made; but that it was ill to
nurture a dove in the nest of an eagle. So the Baron said that he
should take Christopher, and make a priest of him, if the boy would.

Then Christopher was called, and the Baron asked him bluntly whether
he would be a priest; and Christopher, seeing the Abbot's kind glance
upon him, took courage and said that he would obey his father in all
things. But he looked so wan and gentle, and so like his mother, that
the Baron put his arm about him and said kindly that he would have him
choose for himself, and kissed his cheek. But Christopher burst out
weeping and hid his face on his father's shoulder; and then he said,
"I will go." And the Abbot said, "Baron, you are a man of war, and yet
shall you be proud of this your son; he shall win victories indeed,
but in his own field--nay, I doubt not that he will do your house
great service and honour." And so it was arranged that the Abbot, who
was on a journey, should return in a week and take the boy.

So Christopher had a week to make his farewells, and he made them
faithfully and tenderly, though he thought his heart would break. But
the Abbot had told him on parting that God indeed called men, when He
would have them to serve Him, and that he too was surely bidden. And
Christopher, young though he was, felt that he was like a boat that
must battle through a few breakers to reach a quiet haven; and he
spake with all and each, and said farewell, until even the roughest
were sorry that the boy should go. But the last night was the sorest,
for he must part with his brother; the boys slep