many came the savoury steam of roast beef or goose, while the other
houses were shut up as close as possible and looked sad and grim.

All the bells of all the churches were ringing, and everybody seemed
to be trooping into them. As Steadfast was borne along by the
throng, there was a pause, and a boy of his own age with a large hat
and long feather, beneath which could be seen curls of jet-black
hair, walked at the head of a party of gentlemen. Everyone in the
crowd uncovered and there was a vehement outcry of "God save the
King! God save the Prince of Wales!" Everyone thronged after him,
and Steadfast had a hard struggle to squeeze into the Cathedral, and
then had to stand all the time with his back against a pillar, for
there was not even room to kneel down at first.

There was no organ, but the choir men and boys had rallied there, and
led the Psalms which went up very loudly and heartily. Then the Dean
went up into the pulpit and preached about peace and goodwill to men,
and how all ought to do all in their power to bring those blessed
gifts back again. A good many people dropped off during the sermon,
and more after it, but Steadfast remained. He had never been able to
come to the Communion feast since the evil times had begun, and he
had thought much about it on his lonely walk, and knew that it was
the way to be helped through the hard life he was living.

When all was over he felt very peaceful, but so hungry and tired with
standing and kneeling so long after his walk, that he was glad to
lean against the wall and take out the piece of bread that Patience
had put in his wallet.

Presently a step came near, and from under a round velvet skull-cap a