‘Lo, Master Bailiff, I see indeed my master was right yesterday, when he said thou wert “vir doctissimus,” which in the vulgar tongue betokeneth a man most wise and sagacious. By Our Lady, thou persuadest me to thine opinion. My master hath power over the body but none over the soul, and therein lieth his sore. Would God there were some good man of religion in the town to whom he might disclose himself.’ ‘Why, good Martin, there is Sir John, our priest. I never knew an honester man of his cloth.’ ‘Sayest thou so, good sir? Then am I much beholden to thee for thy good counsel, and right glad would I be to perform thy counsel every whit. But alas, how might we come at Sir John? My master is proud as the Devil himself, and, God forgive him, Master Bailiff, loveth not priests.’ ‘I’faith, that shall be easily managed. Knowest thou not I am Churchwarden?’ ‘Marry, I knew thou wert much esteemed of the townsfolk.’ ‘Ay, ay, let it pass if I am. I will deal with Sir John; do thou deal with thy master and I warrant we shall bring them together. The Parson and I would patch up thy Master’s soul, were it rotten as Northern cloth.’ ‘The Saints bless thee, Master Bailiff. Would I might persuade the good Doctor to thy counsel, but, alack, I have not thy silver tongue and subtle reasonings; the Blessed Virgin knows I am a poor creature.’ ‘Why, good Martin, thou hast only to open thy mouth.’ ‘Ay, ay, thou talkest an I were a man of thy own coinage, when I am but base metal. But, good Master Bailiff, wouldst thou but step to his chamber, where he sits even now moodily brooding all alone, I have no manner of doubt but thou wouldst prevail with him, especially if thou wouldst but consent to go with him to Sir John and join thy advice to that of the Parson.’ The Bailiff hemmed twice or thrice, stroked his beard, and emptied his tankard. ‘Well, well, young man,’ he said, ‘e’en lead me to thy master.’ II Good Sir John sat by his hearth fire. Over against him sat the Bailiff exceeding drowsy, anon nodding to sleep, anon waking with a start when his head fell overmuch forward on his breast. By the light of the flickering fire and a small oil-lamp Sir John read aloud with a running commentary from a great book he held upon his knees. The zeal of his study consumed him; his eyes shone with the excitement of his argument, the continuity and vehemence of his exposition had made his face red as a furnace.