“Why, then they must be come!” exclaimed the Justice, and set off for the front door, pursued by Jack. It is needless to say that Jack won the race by considerable lengths.
“Oh, here’s Uncle Anthony!” cried Pandora’s voice, as he came in sight. “Jack, you’ve been and told him—good Jack!”
There is no need to describe the confused, heart-warm greetings on all sides—how kisses were exchanged, and hands were clasped, and sentences were begun that were never finished, and Jack assisted at all in turn. But when the first welcomes were over, and the travellers had changed their dress, and they sat down to supper, hastily got up by Margery’s willing hands, there was opportunity to exchange real information on both sides.
“And where have you been, now, all this while?” asked the Justice. “I never knew, and rather wished not to guess.”
“At Shardeford, for the first part; then some months with Frances, and lately in a farm-house under Ingleborough—folks that Frances knew, good Gospellers, but far from any priest. And how have matters gone here?”
“There’s nought, methinks, you’ll be sorry to hear of, save only the burnings at Canterbury. Seven from this part—Mistress Benden, and Mistress Final, Fishcock, White, Pardue, Emmet Wilson, and Sens Bradbridge. They all suffered a few weeks after your departing.”
All held their breath till the list was over. Pandora was the first to speak.
“Oh, my poor little Christie!”
“Your poor little Christie, Mistress Dorrie, is like to be less poor than she was. There is a doctor of medicine come to dwell in Cranbrook, that seems to have somewhat more skill, in her case at least, than our old apothecary; and you shall find the child going about the house now. He doth not despair, quoth he, that she may yet walk forth after a quiet fashion, though she is not like to be a strong woman at the best.”
“Oh, I am so glad, Uncle!” said Pandora, though the tears were still in her eyes.