Captain Venn had, it seemed, always favoured him
from the time of his enlistment and nothing but his youth prevented
him from being a corporal. He had been in the two great battles of
Marston Moor and Naseby, and come off unhurt from each, and moreover
grace had been given him to interpret the Scriptures in a manner
highly savoury and inspiriting to the soldiery.
Here Patience, in utter amaze, could not help crying out "Thou, Jeph!
Thou couldst not read without spelling, and never would."
He waved his hand. "My sister, what has carnal learning to do with
grace?" And taking a little black Bible from within his breastplate,
he seemed about to give them a specimen, when Emlyn's impatience and
hunger no doubt getting the better of her prudence, she crept into
the room, and presently was seen standing by Steadfast's knee,
holding out her hand for some of the bread and cheese on the table.
"And who is this little wench?" demanded Jeph, somewhat displeased
that his brother manifested a certain inattention to his exhortation
by signing to Patience to supply her wants.
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