``If I tread too presumptuously into sacred places, reprove me,'' entreated the earl, with the submissive sweetness of a brand-new novice. Precious little chance of that happening, thought Hugh, listening and observing with a pleasure that recalled to mind some of his earliest and most tentative exchanges with Brother Cadfael, dealing trick for trick and dart for dart, and feeling their way over small battlefields to a lasting friendship.
the prior was being teased
The prior might possibly suspect that he was being teased for he was no fool but he would certainly not challenge or provoke a magnate of Robert Beaumont's stature.
``If I tread too presumptuously into sacred places, reprove me,'' entreated the earl, with the submissive sweetness of a brand-new novice. Precious little chance of that happening, thought Hugh, listening and observing with a pleasure that recalled to mind some of his earliest and most tentative exchanges with Brother Cadfael, dealing trick for trick and dart for dart, and feeling their way over small battlefields to a lasting friendship.</s>The prior might possibly suspect that he was being teased for he was no fool but he would certainly not challenge or provoke a magnate of Robert Beaumont's stature.</s>the prior was being teased