"Yes, Joan and Nelly are quite happy now they can have Sister Margaret all to themselves," said Dame Davis.
"You would never guess for as simple as she sits there, that Margaret can read the New Testament in the Greek tongue, wherein it was written, and correct the press for her husband's edition of Plato his Dialogues. Now, would you?"
"I think I could believe any thing that was good of Mistress Hall," I answered warmly.
"And you may well and safely do so," said her step-mother. "Yes, that is very pretty," as I handed her a dish of fruit I had arranged. "Believe me, you cannot have a better or safer friend than Margaret. With all her learning, she is simple as a child and defers to me as though I were her own mother. There, I think that will do nicely. And now we will take our own work and sit down under the tree, and you will give us the pleasure of hearing you sing, will you not? I see you have brought your lute with you."
I was only too glad to do aught which could please my kind hostess. I do not know when I ever spent a pleasanter afternoon than that. I sang all the songs I knew—which were not many—and then Margaret told us some tales she had read, and by degrees, I know not how, she gently led us to serious talk upon religion and kindred topics.
"Oh, how I do wish you knew our dear reverend mother, Mistress Hall!" I could not help saying at last; whereat she smiled and said:
"Why, do you think we should agree?"
"Yes, indeed, you would," I answered. "You have made me think of her so many times this afternoon."
At this Philippa, who had sat by stiff and silent, tossed up her chin and said:
"She must be a strange lady prioress if she is like Margaret."