SUPPER AT WILL GREEN'S

I walked along with the others musing as if I did not belong to them,
till we came to Will Green's house. He was one of the wealthier of
the yeomen, and his house was one of those I told you of, the lower
story of which was built of stone. It had not been built long, and
was very trim and neat. The fit of wonder had worn off me again by
then I reached it, or perhaps I should give you a closer description
of it, for it was a handsome yeoman's dwelling of that day, which is
as much as saying it was very beautiful. The house on the other side
of it, the last house in the village, was old or even ancient; all
built of stone, and except for a newer piece built on to it--a hall,
it seemed--had round arches, some of them handsomely carved. I knew
that this was the parson's house; but he was another sort of priest
than John Ball, and what for fear, what for hatred, had gone back to
his monastery with the two other chantrey priests who dwelt in that
house; so that the men of the township, and more especially the women,
were thinking gladly how John Ball should say mass in their new
chancel on the morrow.

Will Green's daughter was waiting for him at the door and gave him a
close and eager hug, and had a kiss to spare for each of us withal: a
strong girl she was, as I have said, and sweet and wholesome also.
She made merry with her father; yet it was easy to see that her heart
was in her mouth all along. There was a younger girl some twelve
summers old, and a lad of ten, who were easily to be known for his
children; an old woman also, who had her livelihood there, and helped
the household; and moreover three long young men, who came into the
house after we had sat down, to whom Will nodded kindly. They were