"Ah," said I, "when he was committed to the Fleet last September, he had nothing for his Bed but a little Pad of Straw and a rotten Covering, with a Tick and a few Feathers therein, in a foul and unwholesome Chamber. And this we had from his Man John Downton, Brother to our Maid Damaris; whereon Master Hewet sent him Money and a good Bed."
"Then there's young Hunter the 'Prentice," continued Tomkins, "was brought up for refusing to receive the Mass Communion this Easter. His Master contrived to send him down to his Father's at Brentwood, where he presently fell again into Trouble for reading of the Bible that lay on the Clerk's Desk, and was set in the Stocks twenty-four Hours. And then they sent him up to Bonner, who set him in the Stocks at his own Gate for two Days and two Nights, with only a Crust of Bread and a Cup of Water; the Lad's young Brother all the while sitting by him. Then he was cast into the Convict Prison, as heavily ironed as one of his tender Years could bear, and hath lain there ever since, with a Halfpenny a Day for his Keep. Could you or I shew such Constancy, think you?"
"You might, but I could not," said I.
"You might, but I might not," sighed he—"not the Thing that will follow."
And, suddenly thrusting his Hand into the very midst of the Fire, which was burning fiercely, he as suddenly plucked it out; turning on me a Look I shall never forget! It expressed the Anguish of a Man weighed in the Balance and found wanting. We sate for a few Seconds in perfect and most painful Silence; his Hand, in great Blisters, resting on his Knee. Suddenly I started up and laid my Hand on his Shoulder.
"Tomkins," cried I, "what are you thinking of?"
"I was thinking," returned he with filling Eyes, "how unworthy I was of the Saviour that died for me."
"But your Hand! did not you feel the Smart?"
"My Hand?" cried he, starting and looking down upon it. "No, not just then! I'd forgotten it."
"See! see!" cried I, "what may be the Victory of the Spirit over the Flesh! What has been, may be again. As our Day, our Strength shall be."