“Wherefore? Why, Grena, you said yourself they should lay no hand on her.”
“Nor will they. But Gertrude is one that lacks a woman about her that loveth her, and will yet be firm with her. I cannot leave the child—Paulina’s child—to go maybe to an ill end, for the lack of my care and love. She sees not the snares about her heedless feet, and would most likely be tangled in them ere you saw them. Maids lack mothers more than even fathers; and True hath none save me.”
“Granted. But for all that, Grena, I would not sacrifice you.”
“Tom, if the Lord would have me here, be sure He shall not shut me up in Canterbury Castle. And if He lacks me there, I am ready to go. He will see to you and True in that case.”
“But if He lack you at Shardeford, Grena? How if this journey of Mr Laxton be His provision for you, so being?”
There was silence for a moment.
“Ay,” said Grena Holland then, “if you and Gertrude go with me. If not, I shall know it is not the Lord’s bidding.”
“I! I never dreamed thereof.”
“Suppose, then, you dream thereof now.”
“Were it not running away from duty?”