So
do forgive my going off in this fashion. I suppose it's just
possible that some bishop will accept me for ordination from
Malford, though no doubt it's improbable. This will be a matter to
discuss with Father Burrowes later.
Do forgive what looks like a most erratic course of procedure. But
I really should hate a long discussion, and if I make a mistake I
shall have had a lesson. It really is essential for me to be
tremendously occupied. I cannot say more than this, but I do beg
you to believe that I'm not taking this apparently unpremeditated
step without a very strong reason. It's a kind of compromise with
my ambition to re-establish in the English Church an order of
preaching friars. I haven't yet given up that idea, but I'm sure
that I ought not to think about it seriously until I'm a priest.
I'm staying here to-night after a glorious day's tramp, and
to-morrow morning I shall take the train and go by Reading and
Basingstoke to Malford. I'll write to you as soon as I know if I'm
accepted. My best love to everybody, and please tell Esther that I
shall think about her on St. Mary Magdalene's Day.
Yours always affectionately,
Mark.
Pages:
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400