so," or "To be
sure!"

"Mother!" said Penuel, as she led Patience in, "have you heard of this
matter of Mistress Benden's?"

"Nay, child," replied Collet, stopping in the process of hanging up a
skirt to dry. "Why, whatso? Naught ill, I do hope and trust, to
Mistress Benden. I'd nigh as soon have aught hap evil to one of my own
as her."

"Eh, neighbour, 'tis all a body need look for," sighed poor Widow
Bradbridge, lifting Patience on her knee. "This world's naught save
trouble and sorrow--never was sin' the Flood, more especially for
women."

"She's had up to the Justices, Mother, but I couldn't hear for why; and
her own husband is he that taketh her."

"He'll get his demerits, be sure," said Mrs Bradbridge.

"Well, and I wouldn't so much mind if he did," was Mrs Pardue's
energetic comment. "He never was fit to black her shoes, he wasn't.
Alice Benden afore the Justices! why, I'd as soon believe I ought to be
there. If I'd ha' knowed, it should ha' cost me hot water but I'd ha'
been with her, to cheer up and stand by the poor soul. Why, it should
abhor any Christian man to hear of such doings!"

"Mistress Hall's withal, Mother: and I guess Master Benden 'll have his
water served not much off the boil."

"I'm fain to hear it!" said Collet.

"Eh, she was at him, I can tell you! and she handled the matter shrewdly
too. So was Esdras and Silas, and a sort more lads, a-crying, `Scratch
him, Tabby!' and she scraught him right well."

"The naughty caitiffs!" exclaimed their mother. "Howbeit, when they
come home we shall maybe know the inwards of the matter."

The boys did not come home for some hours. When they did, Esdras slunk
up the ladder, his garments being in a state which, as Silas had just
kindly informed him, "smelt of the birch," and not desiring the
application of that remedy sooner than could be helped. Silas flung his
cap into the furthest corner, with a shout of "Hooray!" which sent his
mother's hands to her ears.

"Bless the lad!--he'll deafen a body, sure enough! Now then, speak,
caitiff, and tell us what's ado with Mistress Benden. Is she let off?"

"She's sent a-prison," shouted Silas, in tones which seemed likely to
carry that information down the row. "Justice axed her why she went not
to church, and quoth she, `That can I not do, with a good conscience,
since there is much idolatry committed against the glory of God.' And
then she was committed. Justice didn't love his wor