"But you will not go yet, Sir Mark. I was about to press you to stay with us yet a while--till your health is more restored. You look pale and ill as yet, Sir Mark." "Really, Sir Thomas? Thanks for your kindly concern, but I must go and try to recover elsewhere. Your good lady, Dame Beckley, has been trying to persuade me to stay, but I think my visit here has been too long already." "Nay, nay," cried Sir Thomas, "we cannot spare you yet. You must think us very unfeeling if, after your terrible loss, you are not almost forced to stay here and recover. Not a word more, Sir Mark, not a word." Sir Mark, however, endeavoured to put in several words, but was checked by his host, who left him afterwards, strutting away with a fat smile upon his countenance, and a belief in his heart that he had been doing some very hospitable act, Mistress Anne's commands being for the time entirely forgotten. "That is settled then," said Sir Mark, as he kneaded a fresh piece of paste for the carp. "Perhaps in a few weeks I may find out some way of raising money, that is, when my heart has grown less sore." He threw out his bait, and then settled himself with his back against a tree, to take a quiet nap, when, in a sheltered nook, where four huge hawthorns formed a kind of bower, he once more saw Mistress Anne busily reading, and, thinking that he ought to tell her of his intention to stay, he rose to saunter to her side. Volume 3, Chapter IX. HOW MASTER PEASEGOOD SAID HIS PRAYERS AND PAID A VISIT. There was a deep, singular humming sound coming from the open window of Master Peasegood's cottage, and, as this noise passed through the big cherry-tree, it seemed to be broken up like a wind through a hedge, and to be somewhat softened. A stranger would not have known what it was, unless he had listened very attentively; and then he would have found that it was Master Peasegood saying his prayers. "Sum--sum--sum--sum--sum--sum--sum--sum." It sounded like a gigantic bumble-bee. Then a few distinct words. Then "sum--sum--sum--sum--sum," again; and you would hear, "Lead us not into temptation'--sum--sum-- sum--especially with strong ales--sum--sum--sum--sum--sum--oh! Lord, I am so fleshly and so fat--sum--sum--sum--sum--I cannot do as I preach-- sum--sum--sum--sum--I am a sadly hardened and weak man, oh! Lord--sum-- sum--sum--sum; but I try to live at peace, and do to others as I would they should do unto me--sum--sum--sum--sum--Amen. Mistress Hilberry, I'm going out. Bring me my ale." Master Peasegood was refreshed in mind, and proceeded to refresh himself in body, feeling at peace with the whole world, including Mother Goodhugh and all her works. Mistress Hilberry came in, looking sour, but, as her eyes lit on the jovial face before her, some of its amiability was reflected back upon her own; and, finally, as the stout parson drank up his great jug of ale with the heartiest of enjoyment, she almost smiled.