Abbot

Encyclopedia Entry
For it had been long apparent to Count Landulf that nothing could be done with his seventh son Thomas, except to make him an Abbot or something of that kind. Born in 1226, he had from childhood a mysterious objection to becoming a predatory eagle, or even to taking an ordinary interest in falconry or tilting or any other gentlemanly pursuits. He was a large and heavy and quiet boy, and phenomenally silent, scarcely opening his mouth except to say suddenly to his schoolmaster in an explosive manner, &quot;What is God?&quot; The answer is not recorded but it is probable that the asker went on worrying out answers for himself. The Runaway Abbot, by G. K. Chesterton