The Two Confessions by John Whitbourn (good books to read for adults .TXT) 📕

Trevan'spatriotic feelings were just part of the avalanche of previous opinions nowslipping away from him. His present indifference to the Kernow question knew nobounds.

‘Whatever,Father. Now, as to the favour I was asking...?’

Thepriest turned to face him. He looked tired and disinclined to much raise hisvoice over the noise of the waves.

‘Thetruth will do you no favours, boy - but I see you are implacable and won'tsettle otherwise. I'd long put this story to rest. I don't thank you fordigging it up.’

‘Bettera bad memory than no memory.’

FatherJago laughed out loud.

‘You'lllearn different if you're spared. A priest gets to hear all manner of thingsand gets no choice in selecting. The sheep come all mixed up with goats:horribly deformed goats sometimes. I tell you truthfully, my mind's wellfurnished with grotesque items I'd cheerfully swap for blanks.’

‘Snap.So what?’

‘Well,if you won't be told, you must learn. It's God's will. Yes, I knew your mother.I baptised her and I buried her.’

‘Youmissed out her first communion.’

‘NoI didn't. She had no call for it. She was an innocent.’

Samuelflinched; for a second his face broke free of control. This was a blow hehadn't prepared for.

‘Don'tbe ashamed for her, Trevan: for that is an evil way of thought. She understoodall that the Almighty fitted her for, and went through this world unstained byit.’

Samuelhad to turn aside. He didn't want his distress to be seen.

‘Herkind have a virtue all their own, Trevan. They are like little children and Satanis powerless against them. Their years on earth are never long and they're herefor us to lavish love upon.’

Samuelregained composure, but still declined to turn round.

‘Was...was she the full type, or just partial?’

‘Shehad all the marks, if that is your meaning.’

‘Slanteyes? Slack face? Everything?’

‘Yes.’Jago's reply was blunt. ‘And she was beautiful according to her type and inGod's eyes. Now guard your words, for she looks down upon you from heaven.’

Samuelsnorted dissent.

‘Bestplace for her: that's what the family would have said, isn't it?’

Again,the priest could not compromise with the truth.

‘Probably.They have their fair share of narrow-souled members. One or two I recall had itin mind to expose her at birth, but word got to me and I spoke to them.The Church crusades against that old practice, but in these wild areas....’

‘Isuppose I should thank you, else I'd not be here.’

‘Yes,you should, but I'll overlook it if you don't.’

Athought then landed on Samuel, which grew and grew in both size and malignity -like a hideous black spider swarming over him. He swung round.

‘Butif she was an innocent, then who... how...?’

FatherJago looked up at Trevan with such compassion as he could muster.

‘Itwas never discovered. She liked to wander the woods, to gather ferns andflowers. She used to make posies of them and hand them out as presents. Iusually got one when I visited to check the family weren't working her. It musthave happened one day in the woods.’

‘...Never... discovered....’

‘Somevile and wicked person, probably long since gone to their reward. Don't rendyour heart, Trevan. Your 'father', such as he was, has not escaped giving fullaccount of himself. To the one and only honest judge. Who delivers faultlessjustice. And due sentence. And as to your mother, she didn't understand. Whenyou arrived you were taken straight from her. The family had arrangedeverything well before. I found the refuge in Sussex for you.’

‘‘Melchizedek’:the man with no father or mother.’

‘Youdid have a mother, Samuel.’

‘Whoseidea was the name? It's a clever little joke, but do you know, strangelyenough, I'm not all that amused. Fancy sending me on my way - far away - with ajest…. How droll. The culprit, please.’

‘Oneof the family. I don't know who. I wouldn't tell you if I did, not in yourpresent mind.’

‘Buttell me, did dear 'Father' come back for more? Have I got any brother orsister Melchizedeks?’

FatherJago was glad to be able to close off that route.

‘No.A magician-priest came from Exeter and gave her the 'mercy' spell. Icouldn't do it; my gift's too weak. Sterilisation requires a bishop'sdispensation, but in view of her… condition afterwards: I mean, knowing whatshe now did but not understanding, it was felt....’

‘Itwas felt right.’

‘Andyour family were threatening to keep her prisoner indoors otherwise.’

‘Andthey were right as well.’

‘Shenever mentioned it, Samuel. I honestly believe she didn't even realise. Yourmother had some more years of happiness.’

‘Ienvy her. One other thing before you go: do you recall where you buried her?’

U[U[U[U[U[U[U

cHAPTER 15

'A Brief guide to StNECTAN's Church, WELCOMBE, DEVON, for the edification of visiting worshippers,enquirers after wisdom and salvation, and trippers.'

'WelcombeChurch started its long life as one of the chapels attached to Hartland Abbey -founded in the 11th century - and was confirmed by name in a Royal Charter of1189. The font dates from those early days. St Nectan, patron of the parish,was a Cymric hermit who came to Hartland in the 6th century. He was attacked byrobbers who cut off his head, but, unperturbed, picked it up and walked to thewell at Hartland Point which now bears his name. Wherever his blood dropped onthe way foxgloves sprang from the ground. The well has never since failed andall Nectan's twenty-three brothers and sisters were inspired to become holyhermits by the miracle.

...the rood screen comes from the 14th century, a prime example of a greatDevonian art whose sublimest creation famously adorns the Chapel of St Georgein Constantinople. Over it is a beautiful early 16th century cornice, perhapsby the same craftsman as the screen at Stoke. There are traces of gilding onthe vine trail, and of brilliant red, blue and gold on the main beam, sadremnants of the glory eradicated by the Commissioners of Henry VIII-and-last orhis bastard son.

Weknow that the screen originally stood nearer the centre of the church becauseof the fine carved roof bosses, and the wall-plates representing the fruitfulvine and the barren fig tree. These - alone in Devon, apart from ExeterCathedral - retain their original colouring. This work was intended as a canopyof honour over the Crucifix which stood on the screen. It too was desecrated toruin during the despoilings of the 16th and 17th centuries.

Theother roof bosses include