was so slender [insignificant] a country
maid, with no fortune, ne parts [talents], that my cousins did somewhat
slight me, and keep me out of sight. So never met I any that should be
like to wise me in this matter. And, the sooth to say, but I would not
desire to dwell amongst kin that had set my mother aside, and reckoned
her not fit to company with them, not for no wickedness nor unseemly
dealing, but only that she came of a trading stock. It seemeth me, had
such wist our blessed Lord Himself, they should have bidden Him stand
aside, for He was but a carpenter's son. That's the evil of being in
high place, trow."

"Ah, no, dear heart! It hath none ado with place, high or low. 'Tis
human nature. Thou shalt find a duchess more ready to company with a
squire's wife, oft-times, than the squire's wife with the bailiff's
wife, and there is a deal further distance betwixt. It hangeth on the
heart, not on the station."

"But folks' hearts should be the better according to their station."

Marabel laughed. "That were new world, verily. The grace of God is the
same in every station, and the like be the wiles of Satan--not that he
bringeth to all the same temptation, for he hath more wit than so; but
he tempteth all, high and low. The high have the fairer look-out, yet
the more perilous place; the low have the less to content them, yet are
they safer. Things be more evenly parted in this world than many think.
Many times he that hath rich food, hath little appetite for it; and he
that hath his appetite sharp, can scarce get food to satisfy it."

"But then things fit not," said Amphillis.

"Soothly, nay. This world is thrown all out of gear by sin. Things
fitted in Eden, be thou sure. Another reason is there also--that he
which hath the food may bestow it on him that can relish it, and hath it
not."

The chapel bell tolled softly for the last service of the day, and the
whole household assembled. Every day this was done at Hazelwood, for
prime, sext, and compline, at six a.m., noon, and seven p.m.
respectively, and any member of the household found missing would have
been required to render an exceedingly good reason for it. The services
were very short, and a sermon was a scarcely imagined performance.
After compline came bed-time. Each girl took her lamp, louted to Lady
Foljambe and kissed her hand, and they then filed upstairs to bed after
Perrote, she and Amphillis going to their own turret.

Hithe