Elizabeth stopped suddenly.
“That he’ll not be staunch?” said Alice.
“He is my master, and I will say no more, Alice. But this may I say—there’s many in Colchester shall bear faggots ere they burn. Ay, and all over England belike.”
Those who recanted had to carry a faggot, as if owning themselves worthy to be burned.
“Thou’rt right there, Bess. The Lord deliver us!”
“Some thinketh we have been too bold of late. You see, John Love coming home again, and nothing done to him, made folks think the worst was over.”
“Isn’t it then?” said Rose.
“Master Benold says he misdoubts if ’tis well begun.”
“Master Benold the chandler?”
“Of East Hill—ay. He was at the King’s Head last night. So was old Mistress Silverside, and Mistress Ewring the miller’s wife, and Johnson—they call him Alegar—down at Thorpe.”