"Forget not that he is your father."
"We are wasting time," said the king. "Edric, what is your answer to this accusation?"
"That when the army disbanded I went on pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Joseph at Glastonbury, and can produce, in the time requisite for a messenger to go and return, an attestation to that effect. Here," he said, putting his hand to his bosom, and drawing out a reliquary, "is a holy thorn plucked from St. Joseph's tree."
"Art thou not ashamed, my son, to have brought such a charge against the venerator of the Saints, one of the few in whom faith yet lives?"
"No, for I do not believe he was ever there at all."
"Witness the holy thorn."
"Thorns may be plucked in bushels round Dorchester or any other place."
"It is a question of pure testimony," said the bishop.
"It is," added the sheriff and the reeve.
"Then, may I produce my witness?" said Edmund.