Isoult thought she had never heard Mr Underhill speak so solemnly before.
When Dr Thorpe came from the barber’s, on the 4th of February, he looked very thoughtful and pensive.
“What news abroad, Doctor?” inquired Isoult.
“The first drop of the thunder-shower, child,” he answered. “This morrow Mr Prebendary Rogers was burned in Smithfield.”
“Gramercy!” cried John. “I saw flame shoot up beyond the gate, and I thought there was some fire near Newgate. I never thought of that fire.”
In the evening came Austin, who had been last with the martyr. Isoult asked him if he suffered much.
“I would say, no,” replied he. “He died very quietly, washing his hands in the flame as it rose. His wife and his eleven childre (one born sithence he was put in prison) met him in his last journey.”
“God help them, poor souls!” cried Isoult.
“When Sheriff Woodroofe said he was an heretic,” pursued he, “he said, ‘That shall be known at the Day of Judgment.’ Then said he, ‘I will never pray for thee.’ ‘But I will pray for you,’ he answered. He sang Miserere by the way, and refused the pardon which was offered him.”
“Is it very fearful, Austin,” said Isoult, “to see any burn?”