THE KING AND THE BONDMEN.

 The packman went on: "' What they preach aboub
is taken from the Gospels, and they read the book to
the folk, for Wycliffe has brought it from the Latin
into our English speech, so that the common people
may hear and understand; and in truth they listen
gladly, and when the gospeller said that all men were
equal in the sight of God, that the master was no
better than the servant, it made them cry out for joy.
They never heard the like before."
 "'Tis good news," said Hubert; "I would that
every bondman in the land heard it! "
 They won't be bondmen long after that," answered
the packman; and added, but, good Hubert, it grows
late-what is the hour ? "
 "It must be near midnight," was the answer.
 So late !" cried the packman. "There's a won-
derful clock lately set up in London. I wish we had
little clocks to carry about with us, then we should
always know the hour. But I must be up betimes in
the morning-good night." So saying, he climbed a
ladder that led to a loft in the roof, and disappeared.
 After covering up the fire with ashes, the others
laid down on their humble beds, and in a few minutes
all was quiet in the cottage; the only sound that broke
the silence was the rustling of the wind as it swept
through the forest.