Diota

The eight-year-old Thomas and the four-year-old Diota, naturally the most fearless creatures in the house, erupted round her skirts to examine him with round, candid eyes, even before Martin Bellecote himself appeared from a half-lit doorway within, and drew the younger children one either side of him, his hands spread protectively round their shoulders.

Monk's Hood Peters, Ellis, 1913- 1992

The girl, who had remained unobtrusive but attentive in a corner of the room, followed Diota out to the shadow of the porch, with doors closed behind them.

The Raven In The Foregate Peters, Ellis, 1913-1995 1986

He told the whole of it as he had had it from Diota herself, and Hugh listened with a grave face but the hint of the smile lingering thoughtfully in his eyes.

The Raven In The Foregate Peters, Ellis, 1913-1995 1986

Chapter Four Dame Diota Hammet presented herself later that afternoon at a house near Saint Chad's church, and asked timidly for the lord Ralph Giffard.

The Raven In The Foregate Peters, Ellis, 1913-1995 1986

"At the abbey," said Diota as softly and hurriedly, making up her mind.

The Raven In The Foregate Peters, Ellis, 1913-1995 1986

With her hair adrift against his cheek, and her breath warm in the hollow of his throat, she had told him everything that had happened during these last days of the old year, how Brother Cadfael had found the ebony staff, how he had visited Diota and got her story out of her, how Father Ailnoth's funeral was to take place next day after the parish Mass.

The Raven In The Foregate Peters, Ellis, 1913-1995 1986

Cadfael was watching the arrivals with a half-attentive gaze and his mind elsewhere, when he saw Diota Hammet come in at the gate, with Sanan's hand solicitous at her elbow.

The Raven In The Foregate Peters, Ellis, 1913-1995 1986

He looked up at Diota, when the girl presented her, with complete incomprehension, but he comprehended all too well when he looked at the seal that fastened the parchment.

The Raven In The Foregate Peters, Ellis, 1913-1995 1986

They examined the head wound, noted the account rendered by every man who had taken part in the search, and listened to the careful opinions put forward by Brother Edmund and Brother Cadfael, and to everything Dame Diota had to say of her master's evening departure, and the anxious night she had spent worrying about his failure to return.

The Raven In The Foregate Peters, Ellis, 1913-1995 1986

"I'm to bring him this letter," said Diota submissively, and held out a small rolled leaf fastened with a seal.

The Raven In The Foregate Peters, Ellis, 1913-1995 1986