He showed, indeed, the "cheerful hospitality to guests" by which "the good name of the monastery was enhanced, friendships multiplied, enmities lessened, God honoured, and charity increased." He recognised perfectly well the confused terror in Christopher's mind and his anxiety to make a good beginning, and smoothed down the tendency to awkwardness that would otherwise have shown itself.

He had a happy tranquil face, with wide friendly eyes that almost disappeared when he laughed, and a row of even white teeth.
As he talked on, Christopher furtively examined his habit, though he knew every detail of it well enough already.

He had, of course, left his cowl, or ample-sleeved singing gown, in the sacristy on leaving the church, and was in his black frock girded with the leather belt, and the scapular over it, hanging to the ground before and behind.

His hood, Christopher noticed, was creased and flat as if he were accustomed to sit back at his ease.

He wore strong black leather boots that just showed beneath his habit, and a bunch of keys, duplicates of those of the camerarius and cook, hung on his right side.