Busied with my Flowers the chief o' the Forenoon, I was fayn to rest in the Pavilion, when, entering therein, whom shoulde I stumble upon but _William_, layd at length on the Floor, with his Arms under his Head, and his Book on the Ground. I was withdrawing brisklie enow, when he called out, "Don't goe away, since you _are_ here," in a Tone soe rough, soe unlike his usuall Key, as that I paused in a Maze, and then saw that his Eyes were red. He sprung to his Feet and sayd, "_Meg_, come and talk to me;" and, taking my Hand in his, stepped quicklie forthe without another Word sayd, till we reached the Elm-tree Walk. I marvelled to see him soe moven, and expected to hear Somewhat that shoulde displease me, scarce knowing what; however, I might have guest at it from then till now, without ever nearing the Truth. His first Words were, "I wish _Erasmus_ had ne'er crost the Thresholde; he has made me very unhappie;" then, seeing me stare, "Be not his Council just now, deare _Meg_, but bind up, if thou canst, the Wounds he has made.... There be some Wounds, thou knowest, though but of a cut Finger or the like, that we cannot well bind up for ourselves." I made Answer, "I am a young and unskilled Leech." He replyed, "But you have a quick Wit, and Patience, and Kindnesse, and for a Woman, are not scant of Learning." "Nay," I sayd, "but Mr. _Gunnel_--" "_Gunnel_ would be the Last to help me," interrupts _Will_, "nor can I speak to your Father. He is alwaies too busie now ... besides,--" "Father _Francis_?" I put in. "Father _Francis_?" repeats _Will_, with a Shake o' the Head and a ruefulle Smile; "dost thou think, _Meg_, he coulde answer me if I put to him _Pilate's_ Question, 'What is Truth?'" "We know alreadie," quoth I. Sayth _Will_, "What do we know?" I paused, then made Answer reverentlie, "That _Jesus_ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life." "Yes," he exclaymed, clapping his Hands together in a strange Sort of Passion; "that we _doe_ know, blessed be GOD, and other Foundation can or ought noe Man to lay than that is layd, which is JESUS CHRIST. But, _Meg_, is this the Principle of our Church?" "Yea, verily," I steadfastlie replied. "Then, how has it beene overlayd," he hurriedlie went on, "with Men's Inventions! St. _Paul_ speaks of a Sacrifice once offered: we holde the Host to be a continuall Sacrifice. Holy Writ telleth us, where a Tree falls it must lie; we are taughte that our Prayers may free Souls from Purgatorie. The Word sayth, 'By Faith ye are saved;' the Church sayth, we may be saved by our Works. It is written, 'The Idols he shall utterly abolish;' we worship Figures of Gold and Silver...." "Hold, hold," I sayd, "I dare not listen to this.... You are wrong, you know you are wrong." "How and where?" he sayth; "onlie tell me. I long to be put righte." "Our Images are but Symbols of our Saints," I made Answer; "'tis onlie the Ignorant and Unlearned that worship the mere Wood and Stone."