"How should ye, mistress," returns she, shortlie, "when ye never comes nigh us? We've grubbed on together this many a year."
"'Tis soe far," I returned, half ashamed.
"Why, soe it be," answers Gammer; "far from neighbours, far from church, and far from priest; howbeit, my old legs carries me to your house o' Fridays; but I know not whether I shall e'er come agayn—the rye bread was soe hard last time; it may serve for young teeth, and for them as has got none; but mine, you see, are onlie on the goe;" and she opened her mouth with a ghastly smile. "'Tis not," she added, "that I'm ungratefulle; but thou sees, mistress, I really can't eat crusts."
After a moment, I asked, "Where lies your dwelling?"
"Out by yonder," quoth she, pointing to a shapeless mass like a huge bird's nest in ye corner of the field. "There bides poor Joan and I. Wilt come and looke within, mistress, and see how a Christian can die?"
I mutelie complyed, in spite of Cecy's pulling at my skirts. Arrived at ye wretched abode, which had a hole for its chimney, and another for door at once and window, I found, sitting in a corner, propped on a heap of rushes, dried leaves, and olde rags, an aged sick woman, who seemed to have but a little while to live. A mug of water stoode within her reach; I saw none other sustenance; but, in her visage, oh, such peace!... Whispers Gammer with an awfulle look, "She sees 'em now!"
"Sees who?" quoth I.
"Why, angels in two long rows, afore ye throne of God, a bending of themselves, this way, with theire faces to th' earth, and arms stretched out afore 'em."
"Hath she seen a priest?" quoth I.
"Lord love ye," returns Gammer, "what coulde a priest doe for her? She's is in heaven alreadie. I doubte if she can heare me." And then, in a loud, distinct voyce, quite free from her usuall mumping, she beganne to recite in English, "Blessed is every one that feareth y^e Lord, and walketh in his ways," etc.; which ye dying woman hearde, although alreadie speechlesse; and reaching out her feeble arm unto her sister's neck, she dragged it down till their faces touched; and then, looking up, pointed at somewhat she aimed to make her see ... and we alle looked up, but saw noughte. Howbeit, she pointed up three severall times, and lay, as it were, transfigured before us, a gazing at some transporting sighte, and ever and anon turning on her sister looks of love; and, the while we stoode thus agaze, her spiritt passed away without even a thrill or a shudder. Cecy and I beganne to weepe; and, after a while, soe did Gammer; then, putting us forthe, she sayd, "Goe, children, goe; 'tis noe goode crying; and yet I'm thankfulle to ye for your teares."