He fell into a dream.
On the morrow, at noon, he was well enough to descend to the refectory, where he had a seat at the abbot's table.

His meal consisted of a roast pigeon, a plate of vegetables, honey and grapes, with bread which seemed to him better than he had ever tasted, and wine whereof his still weak head bade him partake very modestly.

The abbot's dinner, he saw, was much simpler: a bowl of milk, a slice of bread, and a couple of figs.

After the kindly greeting with which he was received, there was no conversation, for a monk read aloud during the repast.

Basil surveyed with interest the assembly before him.