58 THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS
seven, not forty days, and the number of pater nosters is to
be limited to thirty.
No brother is allowed to retain anything at all for his own
private use. He must hand over all alms and charitable
gifts to the Order, and not presume to expect more than food
and clothing for himself, unless the Master " generously and
of his own free will do give it", Only two meals a day
are required to be served, but the Master may at his
discretion allow a third meal at sunset. Meat is not to be
permitted more than thrice a week. On other days, the
brethren are allowed only vegetables, but two kinds are to
be prepared, so that " he who cannot eat of one may eat of
the other ", On certain holy days, meat is forbidden, but
if one of these holy days falls on a Tuesday (a day on which
meat is normally allowed), the brethren may " eat meat
freely next day ". On Sunday, in honour of the Resurrec-
tion, all knights and chaplains are permitted two dishesj but
as for the other members of the Order, " let them have one
and be thankful",
The brethren are to sit two by two and eat their food
together in the same hall or refectory. " If it is necessary
to ask for anything that cannot be indicated by signs, you
are to ask for it very gently and privately. What you
require must always be sought in humility and with respect
to the table. For, as the Apostle says, * Eat thy bread In
silence 'j that is, * I have deliberated with myself that I may
not offend with my tongue j that is, I have guarded my
mouth that evil may not pass \" Grace is to be said after
meals—in the church, if it is in the vicinity, otherwise in the
place where the meal has been eaten. Reading from some
sacred book is enjoined during dinner and supper, and strict
silence must be observed* Each brother is to have his own
equal share of wine, if wine is allowed j but the giving or *
withholding of wine is at the discretion of the Master.
" When it pleases him, you shall have water, and when he