"I am not careful to answer such inquiries, seeing that I am but
unskilled and unlearned in scholastic disputes. Why do ye ask me these
hard and unprofitable questions, to bring my body in danger of death,
and to suck my blood?"

"We are not blood-suckers, and intend none other than to make thee a
better man and a good Christian," said the priest, mightily offended.
Whereat Roger Wrinstone, in his great zeal and affection for the Holy
Church, smote Marsh a lusty blow on the mouth, saying--

"Answerest thou the priest so? By your worship's leave I will mend his
ill manners."

The little girl at this rebuke fell a-crying, and her grief became so
loud that Sir Roger was fain to pacify her by ordering Wrinstone to
stand farther apart. With red and glistening eyes she looked up and
smiled at the suffering martyr, who, remembering his own dear babes,
could scarce refrain from embracing her as she clung about him, to the
great displeasure of Sir Roger.

"Answer this reverend and spiritual admonisher, to the true purport and
bearing of his question," said Sir Roger, with a mighty affectation of
sagacity.

"I do believe Christ to be present with His sacrament, inasmuch as He is
alway with His people to the end of time. But as I am not skilful in
matters of such nicety, I would ask of this reverend casuist, who is
more able to answer in questions of such weight than I; who am, as I
said before, unlearned in disputed points; and truly I am in nothing
more wishful than to come at a right knowledge and understanding of the
truth."

"Say on," said the priest, something flattered by this modest appeal to
his opinion.

"Our Lord took the cup and blessed it, of which He then drank, and
afterwards His disciples?"

"Yes. But this doth not sanction its being sent round to the laity,"
replied the priest, not aware of the drift and true bearing of the
inquiry.

"Then He took the bread and brake, and did eat likewise with His
disciples?"

"Of a truth," replied the unwary disputant. "For these questions need
but a plain and simple answer."

"Then," said Marsh, "of a surety He must have ate and drank
Himself!--Nay," continued he, seeing the priest turn pale with rage and
vexation, "I can find none other alternative. For, unlearned and
unpractised as I am; the absurdity of your belief is manifest."

"Thou art a child of perdition--an impious and pestilent heretic! Thou
eatest and drinkest damnation to thyself; and the Holy Churc