st for heresy?"

Rose looked up in horrified astonishment.

"Why, we left them right well," she said, "but five hours gone. I
brought the children o'er to you so soon as they had had their dinner.
Is it true, think you?"

"Nay, that would I fain know of you, that were in town twelve hours
later than I," answered Johnson.

"Then, in very deed, we heard nought," said Rose. "I do trust it shall
prove but an ill rumour."

"May it be so! yet I cannot but fear it be true. Robin Purcas came to
me last night, and I could not but think he should have told me somewhat
an' he might: but he found Father Tye in mine house, and might not
speak. They both tarried so long," added Johnson, with a laugh, "that I
was fain to marvel if each were essaying to outsit the other; but if so,
Father Tye won, for Love of the Heath came for Robin and took him away
ere the priest were wearied out. If any straitness do arise against the
Gospellers, Love had best look out."

"Ay, they know him too well to leave him slip through their fingers
again," replied Rose.

"That do they, verily. Well, dear hearts, and have ye been good
children?"

"We've tried," said Cissy.

"They've been as good as could be," answered Rose.

"Father, did anybody come and see to you? I asked the Lord to see to
it, because I knew you'd miss me sore," said Cissy anxiously, "and I
want to know if He did."

"Ay, my dear heart," replied Johnson, smiling as he looked down on her.
"Ursula Felstede came in and dressed dinner for me, and Margaret
Thurston looked in after, and she washed some matters and did a bit of
mending; and at after I had company--Father Tye, and Robin Purcas, and
Jack Love. So thou seest I was not right lonesome."

"He took good care of you. Father," said Cissy, looking happy. It was
evident that Cissy lived for and in her father. Whatever he was, for
good or evil, that she was likewise.

"Well, I've got to look in on Margaret Thurston," said Rose, "for I did
a bit of marketing for her this morrow in the town, and I have a fardel
to leave. She was not at home when we passed, coming. But now, I think
I'd better be on my way, so I'll wish you good den, Johnson. God bless
you, little ones!"

"Good den, Rose!" said Cissy. "And you'll learn me to weave lace with
those pretty bobbins?"

"That will I, with a very good will, sweet heart," said Rose, stooping
to kiss Cissy.

"Weave lace!" commented her father. "What, what is the child