and so both the priest and his lordship fined us because their shares of it were suffering through damage. In the end the fines ate up our crop — mdash; and they took it all; they took it all and made us harvest it for them, without pay or food, and we starving. Then the worst came when I, being out of my mind with hunger and loss of my boys, and grief to see my husband and my little maids in rags and misery and despair, uttered a deep blasphemy — mdash; oh! a thousand of them! — mdash; against the Church and the Church’s ways. It was ten days ago. I had fallen sick with this disease, and it was to the priest I said the words, for he was come to chide me for lack of due humility under the chastening hand of God. He carried my trespass to his betters; I was stubborn; wherefore, presently upon my head and upon all heads that were dear to me, fell the curse of Rome.
“Since that day we are avoided, shunned with horror. None has come near this hut to know whether we live or not. The rest of us were taken down. Then I roused me and got up, as wife and mother will. It was little they could have eaten in any case; it was less than little they had to eat. But there was water, and I gave them that. How they craved it! and how they blessed it! But the end came yesterday; my strength broke down. Yesterday was the last time I ever saw my husband and this youngest child alive. I have lain here all these hours — mdash; these ages, ye may say — mdash; listening, listening for any sound up there that — mdash; ”
She gave a sharp quick glance at her eldest daughter, then cried out, “Oh, my darling!” and feebly gathered the stiffening form to her sheltering arms. She had recognized the death-rattle.
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Chapter 30
THE TRAGEDY OF THE MANOR-HOUSE
AT midnight all was over, and we sat in the presence of four corpses. We covered them with such rags as we could find, and started away, fastening the door behind us. Their home must be these people’s grave, for they could not have Christian burial, or be admitted to consecrated ground. They were as dogs, wild beasts, lepers, and no soul that valued its hope of eternal life would throw it away by meddling in any sort with these rebuked and smitten outcasts.
We had not moved four steps when I caught a sound as of footsteps upon gravel. My heart flew to my throat. We must not be seen coming from that house. I plucked at the king’s robe and we drew back and took shelter behind the corner of the cabin.
“Now we are safe,” I said, “but it was a close call — mdash; so to speak. If the night had been lighter he might have seen us, no doubt, he seemed to be so near.”
“Mayhap it is but a beast and not a man at all.”
“True. But man or beast, it will be wise to stay here a minute and let it get by and out of the way.”
“Hark! It cometh hither.”
True again. The step was coming toward us — mdash; straight toward the hut. It must be a beast, then, and we might as well have saved our trepidation. I was ———————————————————————— Page 279
going to step out, but the king laid his hand upon my arm. There was a moment of silence, then we heard a soft knock on the cabin door. It made me shiver. Presently the knock was repeated, and then we heard these words in a guarded voice:
“Mother! Father! Open — mdash; we have got free, and we bring news to pale your cheeks but glad your hearts; and we may not tarry, but must fly! And — mdash; but they answer not. Mother! father! — mdash; ”
I drew the king toward the other end of the hut and whispered:
“Come — mdash; now we can get to the road.”