Elmwood added,
"Is it true?"
"Yes, sir," he answered resolutely.
"Did you know it was against the law to use the Book of Common
Prayer?"
"There was no book, sir."
"But you do not deny it was the same superstitious and Popish
ceremony and festival abolished by law."
"No, sir," Stead allowed, though rather by gesture than word.
"Now, look you here, young Kenton, I ask no questions. I do not want
to bring anyone into trouble, and you are a hard-working, honest lad
by what they tell me, who have a brother fighting in the good Cause
and have suffered from the lawless malignants yourself. Was it not
the Prince's troopers that wrought this ruin?" pointing towards the
blackened gable, "and shot down your father? Aye! The more shame
you should hold with them! I wish you no harm I say, nor the blinded
folk who must have abused your simplicity: but I am a justice of the
peace, and I will not have laws broken on my land. If this thing
should happen again, I shall remember that you have no regular or
lawful tenure of this holding, and put you forth from it.
Pages:
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207