it, and it was scarcely to her that his
reply was addressed.

"`Not as I will, but as Thou wilt.' `He knoweth the way that I take.'
`I will not fail thee, neither forsake thee.'"

"Oh, Father, what pretty verses! Were you thinking perhaps you'd miss
me if I went soon, poor Father? But maybe, I sha'n't, look you. 'Tis
only when I ache so, and feel all over strings, sometimes I think-- But
we don't know, Father, do we? And we shall both be there, you know. It
won't signify much, will it, which of us goes first?"

"It will only signify," said Roger huskily, "to the one that tarrieth."

"Well," answered Christie brightly, "and it won't do that long. I
reckon we scarce need mind."

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.

ONCE MORE AT HOME.

Up and down his garden--or, to speak more accurately, his brother's
garden--strolled Mr Justice Roberts, his hands behind his back, on a
mild afternoon at the beginning of December 1558. His thoughts, which
of course we have the privilege of reading, ran somewhat in this
fashion--

"Well, 'tis a mercy all is pretty well settled now. Nothing but joy and
welcome for the Queen's accession. Every man about, pretty nigh, looks
as if he had been released from prison, and was so thankful he scarce
knew how to express it. To be sure there be a few contradictious folks
that would fain have had the old fashions tarry; but, well-a-day! they
be but an handful. I'll not say I'm not glad myself. I never did love
committing those poor wretches that couldn't believe to order. _I_
believe in doing your duty and letting peaceable folks be. If they do
reckon a piece of bread to be a piece of bread, I'd never burn them for
it."

By this reflection it will be seen that Mr Justice Roberts, in his
heart, was neither a Papist nor a Protestant, but a good-natured Gallio,
whose convictions were pliable when wanted so to be.

"I marvel how soon I shall hear of Tom," the Justice's meditations went
on. "I cannot let him know anything, for I don't know where he is; I
rather guess at Shardeford, with his wife's folks, but I had a care not
to find out. He'll hear, fast enough, that it is safe to come home. I
shouldn't wonder--"

The Justice wheeled round suddenly, and spoke aloud this time. "Saints
alive! what's that?"

Nothing either audible or visible appeared for a moment.

"What was that black thing?" said the Justice to himself. He was
answered suddenly in loud tones of great gratification.