andlord he is."

"And who'd love a sight better to deal with his mistress than himself,"
said Collet, answering the appeal. "I say not he's unjust, look you,
but he's main hard, be sure. A farthing under the money, or a day over
the time, and he's no mercy."

"Ah, the mistress was good to poor folks, bless her!" said Banks.

"She's dead, is she?" asked the stranger.

"No, she's away," replied Banks shortly.

"Back soon?" suggested the stranger.

John Banks had moved away. There was a peculiar gleam in his
questioner's eye which he did not admire. But Collet, always
unsuspicious, and not always discreet, replied without any idea of
reserve.

"You'd best ask Dick o' Dover that, for none else can tell you."

"Ah, forsooth!" replied the stranger, apparently more interested than
ever. "I heard as we came there were divers new doctrine folks at
Staplehurst. She is one of them, belike?--and the master holds with the
old? 'Tis sore pity folks should not agree to differ, and hold their
several opinions in peace."

"Ah, it is so," said unsuspicious Collet.

"Pray you, who be the chief here of them of the new learning? We be
strangers in these parts, and should be well a-paid to know whither we
may seek our friends. Our hostess here, I am aware, is of them; but for
others I scarce know. The name of White was dropped in mine hearing,
and likewise Fishcock; who be they, trow? And dwells there not a
certain Mistress Brandridge, or some such?--and a Master Hall or Ball--
some whither in this neighbourhood, that be friends unto such as love
not the papistical ways?"

"Look you now, I'll do you to wit all thereanent," said Collet
confidentially. "For Fishcock, that was he that first spake unto you;
he is a butcher, and dwelleth nigh the church. Nicholas White, yon big
man yonder, that toppeth most of his neighbours, hath an ironmongery
shop a-down in the further end of the village. Brandridge have we not:
but Mistress Bradbridge--"

"Mistress, here's your master a-wanting you!" came suddenly in John
Banks' clear tones; and Collette, hastily lifting her basket, and
apologising for the sudden termination of her usefulness, departed
quickly.

"She that hath hastened away is Mistress Wilson, methinks?" asked the
inquisitive traveller of the person next him, who happened to be Mary
Banks.

Mary looked quietly up into the animated face, and glanced at his
companion also before replying. Then she said quietly-