“Dear Alice, I must to London.”
“To London?” she replied sharply. “But we need you here! Why go to London? Is it to displease his majesty further, in place of staying quietly here in your own house, and doing simply whatever they ask of you? Well did I say that you did wrong in giving up your office. That is what has made the king displeased with you. You ought to write to Master Cromwell; he has a very obliging manner, and I am sure that all this could be very easily arranged; but you are ever loath to give up anything.”
“It is indispensably necessary for me to go,” replied Sir Thomas. “I much prefer remaining. Come!” he said.
“Father! father!” exclaimed all
the children, “we will go with you to the boat.”
“Lead me, dear papa,” said the youngest.
Sir Thomas cast a glance toward Margaret, but she had disappeared. He supposed she did not wish to see him start, and he was grieved. However, he felt that it would be one trial less.
“No, my children,” he replied; “I would rather that you come not with me.”
“Why not, dear father?” they cried in accents of surprise and regret.
“The wind is too strong, and the weather is not fair enough,” said Sir Thomas.