Why do ye ask me these
hard and unprofitable questions, to bring my body in danger of death,
and to suck my blood?"
"We are not blood-suckers, and intend none other than to make thee a
better man and a good Christian," said the priest, mightily offended.
Whereat Roger Wrinstone, in his great zeal and affection for the Holy
Church, smote Marsh a lusty blow on the mouth, saying--
"Answerest thou the priest so? By your worship's leave I will mend his
ill manners."
The little girl at this rebuke fell a-crying, and her grief became so
loud that Sir Roger was fain to pacify her by ordering Wrinstone to
stand farther apart. With red and glistening eyes she looked up and
smiled at the suffering martyr, who, remembering his own dear babes,
could scarce refrain from embracing her as she clung about him, to the
great displeasure of Sir Roger.
"Answer this reverend and spiritual admonisher, to the true purport and
bearing of his question," said Sir Roger, with a mighty affectation of
sagacity.
"I do believe Christ to be present with His sacrament, inasmuch as He is
alway with His people to the end of time. But as I am not skilful in
matters of such nicety, I would ask of this reverend casuist, who is
more able to answer in questions of such weight than I; who am, as I
said before, unlearned in disputed points; and truly I am in nothing
more wishful than to come at a right knowledge and understanding of the
truth.
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