make no mistake about that. They are lovely, the dancers. I'm all for singing and dancing. The Lord is one to sing and dance, I'll be bound.

Now you talk sense, Oliver. Mr. Herrick is very clear about that. So was David.

Who is Mr. Herrick, ma'am?

He's a poet, young man. And he's for being quiet, and not bustling about everywhere. You ought to read him.

Do you know Mr. Herrick's work, Mr. Hampden?

I've nothing to say against that, though it's not very serious.

Don't be silly, Mr. Hampden—if you excuse me for saying so. Mr. Herrick is very serious indeed, only he isn't always telling us of it.

Yes: perhaps you're right, ma'am. I prefer George Herbert.

Yes, I like his book, too, Cousin John.

Well, it's no bad judgment to stand for Mr. Herbert. Only I won't have nonsense talked about Mr. Herrick.

Are you ready, Oliver? They are coming.

Yes.

Friends, you are welcome to this house.

Brethren in God, at the end of another day's labour we are met to praise Him from whom are the means to labour and its rewards. As we go about these fields, He is with us. As you deal by me, and I by you, His eye sees us. Nothing good befalls us but it is by His will, no affliction is ours but His loving mercy will hear us. The Lord God walks at our hand. He is here now in our midst. His desires are our freedom, His wrath our tyranny one over another. Be very merciful in all your ways, for mercy is His name. May His counsel be always with our little fellowship. If I should fail towards any man, let him speak. May we be as brothers always, one to another. And may we serve Him to serve whom alone is wisdom. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen. "All people that on earth do dwell."

As I came up from Long Close I stopped at the ale-house. Two fellows were there from the Earl of Bedford. Talking they were.

What had they to say?

It seems they know you are going to stand out for the people to-morrow.

Well?

Treason, they call it.

Treason.