After long Silence, he sayth, in a Voice hushed, and quite altered, "I have them now ... they are close to your Master's Mark." And continued reading.
After a While, I saw him turn back again to his Starting-point, and sit in a Muze, with his Eyes fixed; and after that, read again.
I said softly to him, presently, "Tomkins, where do you go on Sundays?"
"Who spoke?" cried he with a Start.
"I did," quod I. "Who else should speak?"
"Thy Voice sounded so low and sweet, Boy," quod he, recovering himself, "that I wist not it was thine."
"Well, but," persisted I, "where do you go on Sundays?"
"Not to Church," answered he, after a Pause.
"But why not, Tomkins? Hast thou not a Soul to be saved, as much as we?"
"As much, no more," returned he, "if we have any Souls."