“Hurrah! That’s a whole broadside. She’s sweeping your quarter-deck,” shouted the admiral.
The rector grew red in the face.
“It is recorded in the Holy Scriptures, Miss Newville, that wives must be obedient to their husbands,” he replied.
“Does the Bible say a wife must kneel at her husband’s feet?” she asked.
“Perhaps not in so many words, but she is commanded to obey. Our holy church teaches the doctrine. When the princess knelt at the feet of his majesty, it signified she would obey him. Perhaps it is my duty, Miss Newville, to say that your sentiments would be regarded as heretical by the authorities of the church.”
“Hold on, rector,” said Mr. Adams. “Don’t set the canons of the church to thundering.”
“It is the gossip at court,” said Mr. Dapper, “that the king wanted to retire soon after sundown, but the queen said she wasn’t going to bed with the hens. It is said he told her she must wear a particular dress, but she informed him he could dress as he pleased, and she should do the same.”
“You will have to go to court, rector, and lecture the queen on heresy,” said Mr. Adams.
The company laughed, and Ruth’s eyes sparkled over the rector’s discomfiture.