“Then—‘Some of the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth’—doth the verse run thus in thy Bible, Barbara?”
“Nay, not so: but can you understand the same Master Robin?”
“By no means. Wherefore should I?”
Barbara made no answer beyond an appealing look.
“‘He knoweth the way that I take.’ If I know not so much as one step thereof, what matter? I shall have light to see the next step ere I must set down my foot. That is enough, Barbara, for ‘such as keep His covenant,’ and I have ever counted thee amongst them.”
“Eh, Master Robin, but ’twere easier done to walk in darkness one’s self, than to see yon little pet lamb—”
And Barbara’s voice faltered.
“Hath somewhat troubled thee specially at this time?”
In answer, she told him what she had just seen.
“And I do trust, Master Robin, I have not ill done to say this unto you, but of a truth I am diseased (uneasy, anxious) touching my jewel, lest she fall into the like evil courses, being to dwell here.”