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We have been told of brethren in whose week there was such a scarcity
of wood that they had not enough to prepare the usual food for the
brethren; and when it had been ordered by the Abbot's authority that until
more could be brought and fetched, they should content themselves with
dried food, though this was agreed to by all and no one could expect any
cooked food; still these men as if they were cheated of the fruit and
reward of their labour and service, if they did not prepare the food for
their brethren according to custom in the order of their turn--imposed upon
themselves such uncalled-for labour and care that in those dry and sterile
regions where wood cannot possibly be procured unless it is cut from the
fruit trees (for there are no wild shrubs found there as with us), they
wander about through the wide deserts, and traversing the wilderness which
stretches towards the Dead Sea, collect in their lap and the folds of
their dress the scanty stubble and brambles which the wind carries hither
and thither, and so by their voluntary service prepare all their usual food
for the brethren, so that they suffer nothing to be diminished of the
ordinary supply; discharging these duties of theirs towards their brethren
with such fidelity that though the scarcity of wood and the Abbot's order
would be a fair excuse for them, yet still out of regard for their profit
and reward they will not take advantage of this liberty.
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