Chapter Four.
The Root of the Matter.
“My Christ He is the Heaven of Heavens—
My Christ what shall I call?
My Christ is first, my Christ is last,
My Christ is all in all.”
John Mason.
As Agnes toiled home with her weary burden, she met her own special favourite, little Will.
“Look you, Mistress Agnes!” cried little Will, triumphantly holding up his horn-book.
“I can say all my Christ-Cross-Row (alphabet)—every letter!”
“Dear heart!” returned Agnes, sympathising in her little friend’s pleasure.
“And as to-morrow I am to join the letters!” exclaimed little Will again, in high exultation.
“I trust thou wilt be a good lad, Will, and apply thee diligently.”
“Oh, ay,” said Will, dismissing that part of the question somewhat curtly. “And look you, I met, an half-hour gone, with the Black Friar that preached at the Cross th’ other morrow; and he saw my horn-book, and asked at me if I knew the same. And when I said I so did, what did he, think you, but sat him down of a stone, and would needs have me for to say it all o’er unto him. And I made but one only blunder; I said, ‘Q, S, R,’ in the stead of ‘Q, R, S.’ And he strake mine head, and said I was a good lad, and he would I should go on with my learning till I might read in the great Bible that lieth chained in the Minster.”