looking at her. "Ay, poor soul, I dare
say thou hast need. But I lack no comfort at this present, the blessed
Sacrament be thanked! I have enough and to spare."

And, half laughing, with a farewell nod, Mrs Flint took up her full
pail, and trudged away. With some surprise Agnes realised that to this
cheerful, healthy, prosperous woman, the ray of light which was making
her whole soul glad, was not worth opening the windows to behold; the
wine of Paradise which brimmed her cup with joy, was only common water.
Perhaps, before that light could make a happy heart glad, other lights
must be put out; before the water could be changed to wine, other
conduits must run dry. It was well for Agnes Stone that she had nothing
wherewith to quench her thirst but the cup of salvation, and no light to
shine upon her pathway but the light of life.

CHAPTER FOUR.

THE ROOT OF THE MATTER.

"My Christ He is the Heaven of Heavens--
My Christ what shall I call?
My Christ is first, my Christ is last,
My Christ is all in all."

_John Mason_.

As Agnes toiled home with her weary burden, she met her own special
favourite, little Will.

"Look you, Mistress Agnes!" cried little Will, triumphantly holding up
his horn-book.

"I can say all my Christ-Cross-Row [alphabet]--every letter!"

"Dear heart!" returned Agnes, sympathising in her little friend's
pleasure.

"And as to-morrow I am to join the letters!" exclaimed little Will
again, in high exultation.

"I trust thou wilt be a good lad, Will, and apply thee diligently."

"Oh, ay," said Will, dismissing that part of the question somewhat
curtly. "And look you, I met, an half-hour gone, with the Black Friar
that preached at the Cross th' other morrow; and he saw my horn-book,
and asked at me if I knew the same. And when I said I so did, what did
he, think you, but sat him down of a stone, and would needs have me for
to say it all o'er unto him. And I made but one only blunder; I said,
`Q, S, R,' in the stead of `Q, R, S.' And he strake mine head, and said
I was a good lad, and he would I should go on with my learning till I
might read in the great Bible that lieth chained in the Minster."

"Well-a-day! did he so?" responded Agnes.

"Ay, so did he. But wot you what Christie Marvell saith? He saith 'tis
rare evil doing that any save a priest should read in yon big book, and
he hath heard his father for to say the same. And he saith old Father
Dan, the Cord