found new standing-room, behind
the rood-screen, or maybe within the font," suggested the priest
satirically. "Wit you that this is ever the beginning of heresy? Have
you heard what has befallen your landlord's wife, Mistress Benden?
Doubtless she thought her good name and repute should serve her in this
case. Look you, they have not saved her. She lieth this night in
Canterbury Gaol, whither you may come belike, an' you have not a care,
and some of your neighbours with you. Moreover, your dues be not fully
paid--"

"Sir," replied Nicholas Pardue, "I do knowledge myself behind in that
matter, and under your good leave, I had waited on you ere the week were
out. A labouring man, with a great store of children, hath not alway
money to his hand when it most list him to pay the same."

"So far, well," answered the priest more amiably. "I will tarry a time,
trusting you shall in other ways return to your duty. God give you a
good even!"

And with seven shillings more in his pocket than when he entered, the
Rev. Philip Bastian went his way. Nicholas and Collet looked at each
other with some concern.

"We've but barely 'scaped!" said the latter. "What do we now, Nick?
Wilt go to church o' Sunday?"

"No," said Nicholas quietly.

"Shall I go without thee, to peace him like?"

"Not by my good-will thereto."

"Then what do we?"

"What we have hitherto done. Serve God, and keep ourselves from idols."

"Nick, I do by times marvel if it be any ill to go. _We_ worship no
idols, even though we bow down--"

"`Thou shalt not bow down to them' is the command."

"Ay, but they were images of false gods."

"Read the Commandment, good wife. They were `any graven image, or the
likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above, or in the earth beneath,
or in the waters under the earth.' Not a word touching false gods read
I there."

"Why, but that were to condemn all manner of painting and such like--
even yon rogue's likeness of Mistress Hall yonder."

"Scarcely, methinks, so long as it were not made for worship. The
cherubim were commanded to be made. But if so were, wife--whether were
better, that the arts of painting and sculpture were forgotten, or that
God should be dishonoured and His commands disobeyed?"

"Well, if you put it that way--"

"Isn't it the true way?"

"Ay, belike it is. But he'll be down on us, Nick."

"No manner of doubt, wife, but he will, and Satan too. But `I am with
thee, and no