the State, compelled it to be eaten
throughout Lent, and on every Friday in the year. Little enough fish
would anybody have touched then, but for that provision. Avice bought
half of a salted calf, which cost a shilling; five hundred herrings, at
half-a-crown; a bushel of salt, at threepence (which was dear);
twenty-five stock-fish, at two shillings; a quarter of a sheep, at
fourpence; a quarter of wheat, at six shillings; a quarter of oats, at
five shillings; half a quarter of salt cabbage, at five shillings; and
five pounds of figs, at three-halfpence a pound. This was her provision
for the three months which would elapse before the Christmas fair. She
then went to the drapery stalls, and laid in two hoods, for herself and
Bertha, at a shilling each; ten ells of russet, to serve for two gowns,
at eighteen-pence the ell; twelve ells of serge, at three-halfpence the
ell; two pairs of shoes, at fourpence each. The russet was intended for
their best dresses; the serge for common. Considering how very little
went to make a garment, it seems likely that our ancestors wove their
stuff a good deal wider than we do. Avice also laid in a few other
articles of different kinds: a brass pot, which cost her 2 shillings 2
pence; five pounds of tallow, at three-halfpence a pound, and as many of
wax at sixpence; wax was largely used for a variety of objects. Her
last and costliest purchase she would have been better without. It was
a painted and gilded image of Saint Katherine, and cost fifteen
shillings. But Avice, though a good woman according to her light, had
enjoyed very little light, and did not understand half so well as we do
that she might go straight to God through the new and living way opened
upon the cross, without the intervention of any mediator except the Lord
Jesus. She thought she must pray through a saint; and she had no idea
of praying unless she could see something to pray to. Her old image had
lost much of its paint, and half an arm, and its nose was hopelessly
damaged. Therefore, as she must have one, poor Avice thought it best to
buy a new one, rather than have her old saint tinkered up. Alas for the
gods or the mediators who require to be tinkered!

By the time that these purchases were made, and the goods brought home,
it was not far from the supper hour; and Bertha prepared that meal by
boiling a dish of salt cabbage from one of the barrels. This, with
black bread and ale, made their supper.