From the Sketchbook: Scene 1

These sketches illustrate the first scene of Courting Trouble. After a tour of her abbey with a very tiresome bishop, the elderly Abbess Cynethrith reminisces about her youth. She tells us about the day she pumped a monk for information, got a glimpse of a naked monarch, and ran into a very angry queen.

St. Rumwold the Infant Prodigy

Abbess Cynethrith and the Bishop are chatting in the opening scene of Courting Trouble.

“Abbess, do you remember blessed St. Rumwold, the infant prodigy?”

“Yes,” I said.

“Though he only lived on this earth three days, God gave him the gift of speech, and do you know what he preached about?”

“Yes,” I said.

“He preached about the most blessed and heavenly Trinity.”

“Yes,” I said. “I often wish the young would hold their tongues.” Because I’m old, I can get away with remarks like this. People think I didn’t understand what they said.