ms upon it (for I felt
very heavy and weary), and looking across the meadow yellow with flowers
to the green hazels beyond, and between me and the wood the air shook as
if in terror or joy, I knew not which. I could see, too, the open door
of the hut, and its domed roof of straw, and the wicket leaning against
the wall as he had left it, and on either side the may-trees lifted
their bright heads.

My children, I am not ashamed to tell you that I could not see all this
very clearly, for my eyes were dim at the thought that the master of it
was not here, and that I knew not where he was nor how he fared. I
prayed saint Giles with all my might that I might see him here again,
and walk with him as I had walked so often. And then at the end, a
little after I had heard the _Angelus_ ring from over the wood, and had
saluted our Lady and entreated her for Master Richard, I thought that I
would go up and see the hut.

As I went I perceived that here, too, the bees were busy in the noon of
the day, going to and fro intently, but I was to see yet more of them,
for I heard a great droning about me. At first I could not perceive
whence it came, but presently I saw a great ball of them gathering on
the doorway of the hut, as their custom is in summer-time. I was
astonished at that, I do not know why, but it seemed to me that bees
were all about me, _semitam meam et funiculum meum investigantes; omnes
vias meas praevidentes._ ["searching out my path and my line; foreseeing
all my ways" (from Ps. cxxxviii. 3,4.)] Well, I looked on them awhile,
but they seemed as if they would do me no harm, yet I did not wish to go
into the house while they hung there, so I was content with looking in
from where I stood. I could not see very much, my eyes were too weary
with the sunshine that beat on my head, and it was, perhaps, God's
purpose that I should not go in to see what I was not worthy to see.

I had, too, something of fear in my heart; it was like the fear that I
had had when I looked on Master Richard six days before as he prayed. So
I stood a little distance from the door and observed it and the bees. Of
the inside of the but I could see no more than the beaten mud floor for
a little space within, and through the veil of bees that swung this way
and that working their mysteries, the green light of the window looking
upon the hazel wood, above which was the image of the Mother of God.

Then on a sudden my fear came on me strongly, and I