The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-03-06
CHAPTER III-CONTINUED.

much, perhaps you would vouchsa1e 10
a humble cloisterer little information
as to the best means of rising in these
topsyturvy times. We, like others,
must live, and we would fain live well,
an we could, but we are so much out
of the world that it is not every day that
we are privileged to meet a gentleman
from court to enlighten our understand
ings."
we will take that for granted"
said Reginald, with polite Impotence.
"Proceed to the matter of your ques-
ton"
81 am much obliged to you, kind sir,
for your gracious courtesy. Our humble
purpose, then is to learn the meaning
of your worthy brothers. metamor-
phosis Our minds are disturbed by it
rs is natural to country folk who do not
know how the wind is blowing in high
places and may be caught and swept
away by storm unprepared from sheer
want of knowledge of the signs and
tokens For as the winds blow today
in the upper regions of the heavens.
So"
al pray you pardon me- interrupted
Reginald. "But as my business will
not endure delay, perhaps those flowers
of rhetoric, however beautiful in them
selves, and dear to the lips of elo-
quence, might
"Be reserved for more convenient
occasion. Well, then, to put it plain
ly, we would fain know whether Lol-
lardy thrives at court, whether Wy
cliffe, whom we simple country losels
are wont to call heretic-and that of
no mean degree-is now the kings
chief counsellor and arch-dispenser of
the loaves- and fishes. We know that
his highness and my Lord of Lancaster
were once good friends, and though he
has called us antichrist's clerks and
devils children, and other pretty
names, we would not speak evil of him
in return, if our sovereign lord the
king holds him in favor. 1t would not
be seemly in loyal subjects, neither
would it be profitable. We would fain
be abreast of the new times. Has the
king turned Lollard?'
az am not of the kings council"
said Reginald, "but will try to find
out for you and let you now. The
king will doubtless send special mes
senger when he knows of youranxiety."
~This courtesy is truly noble. May
be permitted to repeat that sincere
ly trust do not put his majesty and
your honorable self to too much trou-
- rJa,, I Ipul,t tho
poor cloisterers thirst for the higher
knowledge. 1t would fill us with new
hope and confidence to know that a
russell cloak may be passport to better
things, as we'll 3s a furred amice.
The furred amice may not be purchas-
able without some considerable moiety
of filthy lucre, but shepherds weeds
are within the reach of the poorest, and
if Wycliffe has the disposal of the
ioaves and fishes. it may be worth while
to he Wycliffe's priest, even if you
have to 60 barefooted for time. A
hard road may be travelled with a
cheerful heart when it leads to a warm
nest"
Reginald did not approve of his
brothers conduct, but he could not
stand this sneering at his motives.
"Does Master Chowley," he asked,
recognize no motive for doing ones
duty but greed of fat benetice?"
"Master Chowley, 'retorted that in
dividual, in his driest and harshest
tone, "has observed, as a general rule,
that where the carcass is, there will
the eagles be gathered together
The host did not like this sparring.
He interposed with a forced but loud
and foul laugh. "a right good saying,
Sir Roger. Hal ha! And to the same
effect have heard my father say
and though he was but country-bred
man like myself, he had good wit
that when the crows are seen all flying
one way, YOU may be sure there is
crows business on hand. But come,
gentles, carping mars good-fellowship
and the wholesome effect of good liquor.
How liked you the Vernage, Sir Reg
inald? It's direct from Genoa, three
years past Stourbridge Fair"
"a good wine, Harry" said the
young man with smile. "You were
always famous for your theologicum.
Give you good-day. l hope soon to
have another stoup of it,"
''This is my theologicum, rasped
out the canon, banging a three-hooped
pot ON the table. ''None OF your sour
foreign stuff for me. A pot OF good ale
puts some heart in a man" And he
looked at the lower floor for approval
oil this sturdy sentiment. ''It fattens
him, at least" answered Reginald,
pleasantly, at the door; "but the big
gest rabbage has not always the stoutest
heart"