Father
Michael took all in good part, answering, as was his wont in mildness and
good-tempered charity; for he was a priest of much learning, deep
reflection, and rebuked opinions. The community over which he presided was
so far worldly in its object as to keep the canons in constant communion
with men, and he would not now have met for the first time one of those
self-satisfied, authoritative, boisterous, well-meaning beings, of whose
class Peterchen formed so conspicuous a member, had this been the first of
the bailiff's visits to the Col. As it was, however, the Prior not only
understood the species, but he well knew the individual specimen, and he
was well enough disposed to humor the noisy pleasantry of his companion.
Disburthened of his superfluous clothing, delivered of his introductory
jokes, and having achieved his salutations to the several canons, with
suitable words of recognition to the three or four novices who were
usually found on the mountain, Peterchen declared his readiness to enter
on the duty of what the French call restoration. This want had been
foreseen, and the Prior led the way to a private refectory, where
preparations had been made for a sufficient supper, the bailiff being very
generally known to be a huge feeder.
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