Amphillis span and thought—span fast, because she was thinking hard: and Marabel did not interrupt her thoughts.
“But—we must merit it!” she urged again at last.
“Dost thou commonly merit the gifts given thee? When man meriteth that he receiveth—when he doth somewhat, to obtain it—it is a wage, not a gift. The very life and soul of a gift is that it is not merited, but given of free favour, of friendship or love.”
“I never heard no such doctrine!”
Marabel only smiled.
“Followeth my Lady this manner?”
“A little in the head, maybe; for the heart will I not speak.”
“And my La—I would say, Mistress Perrote?” Amphillis suddenly recollected that her mistress was never to be mentioned.
“Ask at her,” said Marabel, with a smile.
“Then Master Norman is of this fashion of thinking?”