"Who is Hans Holbein?" quod I.
"A prime Flemish Painter," returned Tomkins; "he tables at the Goldsmith's, nearer the north End of the Bridge. When Master Hewet first married, he had Hans Holbein for a Lodger; and the Green Lattice was filled from End to End with his Pictures—there's a Bundle of his Scratchings down there now. Howbeit, he was too boisterous an Inmate to please Mistress Alice, so Master Hewet was glad to get quit of him. There's a famous Thing of his at Surgeons' Hall; old King Harry granting the Charter to the Company; howbeit, though he painted half the Court, he did nothing better, to my Mind, than his Likeness of Mistress Alice, that now hangs at the Foot of her Husband's Bed. When the Door standeth ajar, thou mayst see it without going in."
So, the next Time I passed, I looked in, and saw the Presentment of my Master's late Wife. Of a Truth, she must have been a fair Creature: with Eyes as blue and truthful as Mistress Anne's, and sunny Hair that would have fallen over her fair Shoulders in as heavy Curls, but for her Matron's Frow's-paste. Also the same full, cherry Lips, and dimpled Chin; the same small Nose, small Ear, small Hand; in fine, the Foreshadow of what Mistress Anne in After-time became, rather than what she was yet.... Pity, so fair a Lady should die so young!
And she made a good End, Tomkins told me—knew 'twas at Hand, took composed Leave of all, and desired she might be buried in the Church of St. Martin Orgar; and that 30s. and no more should be spent to bury her decently, and 10s. more for Cakes, Wine, and Spices for the Mourners. Also 20s. out of her own private Purse to be put in the Common-box of the Fraternity for an Alms; Five Shillings to the mortuary Priest, and Five Shillings to the Poor in Bread. Six of the Company bare her to Church, each of whom received a silver Spoon.
Somewhere about this Time, the Clothworkers' new Overseer came to examine the Premises; and, when he had concluded his Inspection below-stairs, told my Master, with some Hesitation, he had Reason to think there was a Journeyman hid away above who worked in the House. Master Hewet smiled, and told him of the Exception made in Favour of Tomkins, and accompanied him up-stairs, to let him witness for himself that his Statement was true. When we went in, Tomkins, for once, was off Duty, intent upon a Book, and so buried in it, that he started and blushed like a Boy caught conning Tom Thumb in School-time. When the Overseer was gone, Tomkins sayth to me with a little Dryness, "Who would have thought of your taking me by Surprise?"
I made Answer, "Who would have thought of your being surprised?" at which he laughed.
"So," quod he, after weaving a little While in Silence, "they've set up Erasmus's Paraphrase, now, alongside of the chained Bible in St. Magnus's."
"They have it in all the Churches," quod I; "but how came you to know it?"
He was silent awhile, and smiled a little. "Well," quod he, "thou knowest I have crawled out a little lately, before Breakfast; and I thought it as well to turn into the Church for a Rest; and found that a Spell of Reading helped to pass the Time.... I go there o' Sundays, now: have done so ever since that Night."
"Then," quod I softly, as I leaned over him, "God hath been merciful to you a Sinner."