The Cloister and the Hearth: A Tale of the Middle Ages

by Charles Reade

  CHAPTER LXXXIII

  The Hearth

  "ELI," said Catherine, "answer me one question like a man, and I'll askno more to-day. What is wormwood?"

  Eli looked a little helpless at this sudden demand upon his faculties;but soon recovered enough to say it was something that tasted mainbitter.

  "That is a fair answer, my man, but not the one I look for."

  "Then answer it yourself."

  "And shall. Wormwood is--to have two in the house a-doing nought, butwaiting for thy shoes and mine." Eli groaned. The shaft struck home.

  "Methinks waiting for their best friend's coffin, that and nothing todo, are enow to make them worse than Nature meant. Why not set them upsomewhere, to give 'em a chance?"

  Eli said he was willing, but afraid they would drink and gamble theirvery shelves away.

  "Nay," said Catherine. "Dost take me for a simpleton? Of course I meanto watch them at starting, and drive them wi' a loose rein, as thesaying is."

  "Where did you think of? Not here; to divide our own custom."

  "Not likely. I say Rotterdam, against the world. Then I could startthem."

  Oh, self-deception! The true motive of all this was to get near littleGerard.

  After many discussions, and eager promises of amendment on these termsfrom Cornelis and Sybrandt, Catherine went to Rotterdam shop-hunting,and took Kate with her; for a change. They soon found one, and in a goodstreet: but it was sadly out of order. However they got it cheaper forthat, and instantly set about brushing it up, fitting proper shelves forthe business, and making the dwelling house habitable.

  * * * * *

  Luke Peterson was always asking Margaret what he could do for her. Theanswer used to be in a sad tone, "Nothing, Luke, nothing."

  "What you that are so clever, can you think of nothing for me to do foryou?"

  "Nothing, Luke, nothing."

  But at last she varied the reply thus: "If you could make something tohelp my sweet sister Kate about."

  The slave of love consented joyfully, and soon made Kate a little cart,and cushioned it, and yoked himself into it, and at eventide drew herout of the town, and along the pleasant boulevard, with Margaret andCatherine walking beside. It looked a happier party than it was.

  Kate, for one, enjoyed it keenly; for little Gerard was put in her lap,and she doted on him: and it was like a cherub carried by a littleangel, or a rosebud lying in the cup of a lily.

  So the vulgar jeered: and asked Luke how a thistle tasted, and if hismistress could not afford one with four legs, etc.

  Luke did not mind these jeers; but Kate minded them for him.

  "Thou hast made the cart for me, good Luke," said she. "'Twas much. Idid ill to let thee draw me too; we can afford to pay some poor soul forthat. I love my rides, and to carry little Gerard; but I'd liever rideno more than thou be mocked for't."

  "Much I care for their tongues," said Luke, "if I did care I'd knocktheir heads together. I shall draw you till my mistress says give over."

  "Luke, if you obey Kate, you will oblige me."

  "Then I will obey Kate."

  An honourable exception to popular humour was Jorian Ketel's wife. "Thatis strength well laid out, to draw the weak. And her prayers will beyour guerdon: she is not long for this world: she smileth in pain."These were the words of Joan.

  Singleminded Luke answered that he did not want the poor lass's prayers;he did it to please his mistress, Margaret.

  After that Luke often pressed Margaret to give him something todo--without success.

  But one day, as if tired with his importuning, she turned on him, andsaid with a look and accent, I should in vain try to convey--

  "Find me my boy's father!"