Page 910 - les-miserables

‘Mother Ascension, who is as strong as a man, will help
you.’
‘A woman is never a man.’
‘We have only a woman here to help you. Each one does
what he can. Because Dom Mabillon gives four hundred
and seventeen epistles of Saint Bernard, while Merlonus
Horstius only gives three hundred and sixty-seven, I do not
despise Merlonus Horstius.’
‘Neither do I.’
‘Merit consists in working according to one’s strength. A
cloister is not a dock-yard.’
‘And a woman is not a man. But my brother is the strong
one, though!’
‘And can you get a lever?’
‘That is the only sort of key that fits that sort of door.’
‘There is a ring in the stone.’
‘I will put the lever through it.’
‘And the stone is so arranged that it swings on a pivot.’
‘That is good, reverend Mother. I will open the vault.’
‘And the four Mother Precentors will help you.’
‘And when the vault is open?’
‘It must be closed again.’
‘Will that be all?’
‘No.’
‘Give me your orders, very reverend Mother.’
‘Fauvent, we have confidence in you.’
‘I am here to do anything you wish.’
‘And to hold your peace about everything!’
‘Yes, reverend Mother.’

910 Les Miserables