"You are just in the nick of time, for old Master Burden is dead and there is no one to take his place," said his father. "But do you really mean to settle down here? I thought you would be for going to London or Bristol."
"I wished to be near you, father," said Jack; "and, besides, my chances are better here than in London, where doctors are far more plenty than blackberries."
"Did you see Master Fleming as you came through?" asked Dame Lucas.
"Oh yes, mother—if you care to be called mother by such a well-grown son."
Dame Lucas smiled and nodded, while his father looked greatly pleased.
"I abode a week with the good gentleman, and he hath sent you all various tokens of good will, which are in my mails."
"I warrant he rejoices in the new times," remarked Master Lucas.
"He rejoices, though with trembling, as do all who live near the court," said Jack gravely. "He does think the times are not at all settled, and that the King may yet lay on us a yoke as heavy as that of the Pope. But we will not talk of these things here or anticipate evil. How are the family at Holford?"
"Well and hearty, all that are left. The old knight is gone, but my lady survives and rejoices over the birth of her grandchild."
"What has been done with Uncle Thomas's cottage?"