prudent and wary than thou, and remember thou
(as I bade Ferris, but he did little) that she is _not_ a Gospeller."

"A truce to thy wariness and prudence!" cried Mr Underhill.

"That shall be, assuredly, where thou art," answered John.

"I have no patience," said he, "with such faintheartedness (for I can
call it by no better name). Who ever saw a Lutheran burn a Gospeller?"

"Ned Underhill," said John, sadly, "hast thou forgot so soon that we
have seen a Gospeller beheaded by Lutherans?"

"Whom point you at there?"

"The Duke of Somerset."

"Come! go not back to the time afore the Flood," exclaimed he. "Let
bygones be bygones."

"I have no objection," said John, "if bygones will be bygones."

"Jack Avery, hold thy peace, or we shall quarrel! I will not have cold
water flung over my fair bonfire of rejoicing!"

"It should take much to put it out, methinks," said Dr Thorpe.

"What say you, my master?" inquired Mr Underhill, turning with one of
his quick motions to Don Juan.

"Marry," answered Don Juan, smiling (he spoke English fairly), "I say,
we shall all know more about it a year hence."

"Gramercy! you are one of the wary ones," grumbled Mr Underhill. "Come,
let me see if I cannot find one of my way of thinking. Mrs Avery, are
you only Jack in a gown, or have you a mind of your own?"

"Verily, Mr Underhill, I know not how things shall go," said she, "and
therefore I were wisest to hold my peace."

"Alas!" answered he. "Dr Thorpe, you are Prudence herself, and a
Lutheran to boot, wherefore--"

"Lutheran!" cried the old man, hastily. "I am no more a Lutheran than
you!"

They all laughed at Dr Thorpe, thus brought to confession at last.

"Are you not so?" said Mr Underhill, laughing and bowing. "In good
sooth, I am rejoiced to hear it.--Well! Mrs Rose, allow me to ask at
you if you go with me or no?"

"Assuredly, Mr Underhill, no," said she. "If I had ever any belief in
the goodness of the world, it did fly away from me a long time ago; and
I do not look to see the peace or the right all over it, as you seem to
look. It may be that I answer rather your thoughts than your words; but
it seemed me you had that thought."

"But, Mrs Rose," said he, "if you take us all for ill and wicked, you
must find it hard work to love your neighbour as yourself. We are
leaving our subject-matter, but let that pass."

"Ah, Mr Underhill!" she answered, with a smile, "I am as bad as any one
else; and