in His storehouse. And if I have not known joy as much as some, I
have the less for to leave behind me in the case wherein I now am. For
you know, good mother, that at the first I was wedded against mine own
will and liking; and though I may and must say unto you for my Lord my
husband, that in this evil case he hath been more gentler unto me than
ever afore, and hath drawn mine heart much closer unto him, yet nathless
I may say also that an' I had been with mine own will wedded, I trow
that I had had far more for to leave for Christ, and had found far more
hardship in the doing of it. For God doeth all His work well; and He
wist surely what He did when my dear father--whose soul God rest!--was
let wed me thus.

"Behold now, most dear mother, how I have taken from you all cause of
your lamentation, and have left you nothing but to rejoice for me!
Wherefore rejoice for me, for at this time a sennight hence, I shall be
singing with the angels of God. I trow that one look at Christ Jesu
will pay me all mine account in the small matter I have suffered for
Him. I trow that if He but smile, and say, `Thou art welcome, dear
child, for I have loved thee,' I shall count the fires of this world but
light gear then. Will you sorrow that I am in good case? Will you
grieve because I am blessed? Will you count you have lost your child,
when she is singing in the great glory? Nay, good mother, I wis I have
well said in praying you to rejoice rather.

"And, dear mother, I beseech you that you bring up mine own dear child
in the same. I would have him, if I may, as dear unto Christ as I am,
and as ready to leave all for Christ His sake, as I, his mother, have
done. I say not this, God witteth, to magnify my poor deeds, the which
I know well be vile enough and want as much and great washing in Christ
His blood, as the worst sin that ever I did,--but, good mother, teach my
boy of Christ! Count it not anything that he leaveth for Him. Yea,
forsooth, rather would I a thousandfold that he should live on a dry
crust for Christ, than that he should have many brave dishes and rich
fare without Him. To this end I beseech you, most dear mother, that you
will have the child learned for to read, and will get that he may read
God's Word, which hath shown me how dear and gracious is Christ Jesus.
I pray you spare no pains ne goods for to do this.

"Dear mother, I have prayed my Lord my husband that, if she will, Alice
Jordan shall ha