“Truly, friend, I am much beholden to you,” said he to Rose, “for your kindly care of my little ones. But, I pray you, is it true what I heard, that Mistress Silverside is arrest for heresy?”
Rose looked up in horrified astonishment.
“Why, we left them right well,” she said, “but five hours gone. I brought the children o’er to you so soon as they had had their dinner. Is it true, think you?”
“Nay, that would I fain know of you, that were in town twelve hours later than I,” answered Johnson.
“Then, in very deed, we heard nought,” said Rose. “I do trust it shall prove but an ill rumour.”
“May it be so! yet I cannot but fear it be true. Robin Purcas came to me last night, and I could not but think he should have told me somewhat an’ he might: but he found Father Tye in mine house, and might not speak. They both tarried so long,” added Johnson, with a laugh, “that I was fain to marvel if each were essaying to outsit the other; but if so, Father Tye won, for Love of the Heath came for Robin and took him away ere the priest were wearied out. If any straitness do arise against the Gospellers, Love had best look out.”
“Ay, they know him too well to leave him slip through their fingers again,” replied Rose.
“That do they, verily. Well, dear hearts, and have ye been good children?”
“We’ve tried,” said Cissy.
“They’ve been as good as could be,” answered Rose.