He walked ever with eyes cast down as if in deep musing, yet it was well known that he observed keenly, and that his duties to the community were discharged with admirable zeal and competence.

In the world he would have been a great administrator.

In the monastery he seemed to find ample scope for his powers, and never varied from the character of a man who set piety and learning above all else.

Drawing nigh to Basil he greeted him gently, and asked whether it would give him pleasure to see the copyists at work.

Basil gladly accepted this invitation, and was conducted to a long, well-lit room, where, at great desks, sat some five or six of the brothers, each bent over a parchment which would some day form portion of a volume, writing with slow care, with the zeal of devotees and with the joy of artists.