d not
wish their mother to overhear them, she being by many degrees more
fearful than their father, as was but natural, "why should we stay
pent up here day after day and week after week, when even the girls
be permitted abroad, and go into the very heart of the peril? We
cannot be nurses to the sick, I know right well; neither can we
help to search houses, or do such like things, as the elder ones.
But why do we tarry at home eating our hearts out, when the whole
world is before us, and there be such wondrous things to see?

"Listen, Ben. I have a plan. Let us but once get free of this
house, and be our own masters, and we will wander about London as
we will, and see those things of which all men be speaking. I long
to look into one of those yawning pits where they shoot the dead,
and to see the grass growing in the city, and to hear some of those
strange preachers who go about prophesying in the streets. I long
for liberty and freedom. I would sooner die of the plague at last
than fret my heart out shut up here. And we may be smitten as well
at home as abroad, as even father says himself."

"Why, so we may; and methinks more are smitten so than those who go
forth and breathe the air without!" cried Benjamin. "Our aunt lives
amongst the dying, but she is not smitten; and the girls are ever
in peril, but they live on, whilst others are taken. But will our
father let us go forth? For I would not like to go unless he bid
us."

"Nay, nor I," answered Joseph quickly, for reverence for their
father was a strong sentiment in all James Harmer's sons and
daughters; "we will strive to win his consent and blessing to our
going forth; but we need not say all that we purpose doing when we
are free. For, indeed, it may well be that we shall meet with many
hindrances. They say that the roads leading away from the city are
all closely watched, that no infected person is able to pass, and
that many sound ones are turned back lest they bring the infection
with them."

"Then how shall we get out?" asked Benjamin; but Joseph nodded his
head wisely, and said he had a plan.

Before, however, he could further enlighten his brother they heard
their father's footfall on the stair, and he came in looking weary
and sad, as it was inevitable that he should, coming as he did into
personal contact with so much misery, sickness, and death.

There was always refreshment ready for the workers at any hour of
the day when they should come in to