"It were over hard for you," said Frideswide to the second question, meeting the first with a deprecatory smile.
"Nay, my Mistress. The enduring was with Him that bare the wrath of God for me: surely not with me that do but bear a few earthly pains for Him. At the least, if it should please Him to call me to that honour."
"Would you covet it, Master Goose?"
"Mistress, I am Christ's servant. Is it for the servant to admonish the Master of the work whereunto He shall set him?"
"But the suffering should be your own!"
"Nay! When I bid my journeyman get a-work, he doth it at my charges, not his own."
"Yet you must needs feel it, Master Goose?"
They had reached the gate of Coldharbour. John Goose swung the lantern into his left hand, and unlatched the outer gate for Frideswide, calling for the porter as he did so.
"Mistress, if our dear Lord list to have me to His presence without an hair of mine head singed, think you He could compass it, or no?"
"Most certainly!"