Prentice Hugh

by Frances Mary Peard

would have the grace towithdraw his claim;" and John Hamlyn, stepping forward, raised a broadboard so that it might be seen of all. "Will the judges say whetherthis design is the same as that carved by Roger Brewer?"

  There was a close examination and comparison, at the end of which themaster, after consultation with the others, raised his head.

  "It is undoubtedly the same."

  "Now," continued Hamlyn, turning the board, "there is writing here,which you and I, my masters, cannot fathom. Maybe my lord bishop willhave the grace to construe it for us."

  The bishop advanced, and in a clear voice read, "Hugh Bassett, SaintGeorge's Day, A.D. 1303."

  "Wat, repeat thy story," said Hamlyn quietly. "I have kept thy proofsafely, though truly until this day I knew not what it was worth."

  Thus adjured Wat, though finding it hard to keep down his excitement,told what he had to tell straightforwardly and well. He related how,having his suspicions raised, he had warned Hugh to beware of Roger, andhow on the day of Gervase's illness the design had disappeared. Thatthen it had come into his mind to advise Hugh to draw it again, to placea date upon it and give it into Mistress Prothasy's keeping. That shehad held it safely until Master John Hamlyn took it from her, and thatfrom the day of the date Hugh had never had it in his hands nor so muchas seen it.

  This was all, but with the board before them, it was evidence whichcould hardly be strengthened, and if more were needed, Roger's white,fear-stricken face supplied it. There was a significant silence, brokenat last by the bishop's voice.

  "Where is Hugh Bassett?" he asked.

  "Now, in good sooth, was ever anything so foolish as that he should havehidden himself as he hath done?" whispered the provoked Wat to hisneighbour. But at that moment the circle of interested citizens opened,and Hugh, looking flushed and disturbed, came forward, while behind himwere Elyas and Joan.

  "Hugh Bassett," said the bishop, pointing to the board, "is that thywork?"

  "Ay, my lord," he answered in a low voice.

  Again a pause.

  "Thou hast heard the relation of its keeping?"

  "Nay, my lord, I have but this moment come into the church."

  "Let us hear what thou hast to say."

  Hugh told his story, which agreed in every respect with that alreadyrelated. While it was telling the miserable Roger tried to slip away,but at a sign from Hamlyn two members of the guild silently placedthemselves on either side. Then Elyas stepped forward.

  "I speak with pain, my lord," he said, "for Roger Brewer is myjourneyman and hath been my apprentice, but to keep silence were to sinagainst this holy place. My sickness hath made me oblivious, but theivy is strangely familiar to me, and I mind me that Hugh ever broughthis designs to show me, while Roger had no such habit. Moreover,although you have refused to listen to what I said as to the corbelcarved by Hugh Bassett, I would urge upon you to consider it viewed inthe light of what has now passed."

  He was listened to in absolute silence, and presently bishop, chapter,and judges retired to consult, while the others waited, and Elyas, whosekind heart was deeply grieved for Roger, drew off and knelt in prayer.

  The consultation was not long, the judges came back, and once again theold master delivered their judgment.

  "It having been proved that Hugh Bassett rather than Roger Brewerdesigned the ivy corbel, it is declared that his work standeth first inmerit, and he is granted the carving of another corbel, and the choiceof pillar."

  Had it not been church Wat would have leapt high in the air.

  No more was said, for it was not the fitting place in which to deal withRoger's misdoing, which would be the work of the guild, but he wasremoved by the two men who had him in charge, and those who were leftpressed round Hugh to seize his hand. He had known nothing of the firstacts of the drama, but his day in the quiet woods was no ill preparationfor this moment of success. Elyas came up and laid a broad hand on hisshoulder, and Joan slipped hers into Hugh's.

  "Come home and tell mother," she whispered.

  But when they at length got outside the Cathedral door a strange andunexpected sight met them, for Wat, who was a great favourite with theapprentices, had rushed out, and in an incredibly short time hadgathered a large number together, and marshalled them at the door togreet Hugh when he came. There was no need to bid them cheer; thetidings that one of their number had gained so great an honour raisedthem to wild enthusiasm, and made them forget their usual rivalries;they pressed round the Cathedral door, and when he came out, literallyflung themselves upon him, shouting at the top of their voices, andwaving sticks or anything which came to hand; finally, in spite of allhe could do, seizing and bearing him off in their arms, carrying him intriumph through Broad Gate out into the High Street, and joined by freshboys at every turn of the road. Citizens ran out on hearing the tumult,the watchmen caught up their staves and hurried forth, the Pomeroy andRalegh retainers cheered them on, all the windows and balconies werequickly filled with women who laughed and waved their hands, and themayor himself, so far from showing any anger, stood in a balcony andflung down largesse upon the shouting lads. Nothing would suffice, butto carry Hugh all down the steep street to Exe bridge, where, near sevenyears before, he had come in under such different circumstances, and,hot and shamefaced as he was, he could not but think of this, and scarceknew where he was for the thinking.

  Hot he might be, but there was no persuading them, to put him down, andup the street they went again, cheering still, and between the oldhouses, until they stopped at Gervase's door, where Elyas himself stoodwith Prothasy, and Joan clapping her hands with all her might. Andthere was more shouting and rejoicing when Elyas bid all the prenticesto a feast in the meadows on St Bartholomew's Day, his own house nothaving space for such a number.

  They separated at last, and reluctantly, after such a shrill burst ofcheering as rang through the old city, and Hugh, who felt as if it wereall some strange exciting dream, was thankful to find himself alone withthose good friends to whom he owed his present fortune. Elyas put hishands on his shoulders, and looked into the clear eyes, now on a levelwith his own.

  "Thy father could not have been more glad than I," he said simply.

  "I would I could thank thee, goodman," said Hugh, in an unsteady voice,"for all comes from thee."

  "Nay, neither me nor thee, but from One Who gave the gift. And thou--thou hast kept covenant."

  "I looked not for anything like this."

  "Doubtless it hath been a little upsetting," said Elyas, with a smile,"but it hath made Wat as happy as a king. Never was a more faithfulfriend, or that had less thought for himself. I verily believe he nevercared for his own work; he did his best simply, and there left it. 'Tisa rare nature. Alack, alack, I would poor Roger had been as free fromself-seeking!"

  "Goodman," said Hugh, hesitatingly, "hast thou heard aught of Roger?"

  "I went to the Guildhall from the Cathedral and saw him. I might havebeen a stranger and an enemy," Elyas added, sighing, "for all I couldget from him."

  "Might I speak for him? Would they hearken? I love him not, in goodsooth," said Hugh frankly, "and I know not what I might have felt if hehad succeeded; but 'tis easy to forgive when he hath done no one harmbut himself. Maybe, sir, he might do better if he had another chance?"

  "That may not be here," said the warden, gravely. "Some were forflinging him into gaol, but they hearkened to me so far that he will bebut heavily fined, and sent from the city, never to return. Speak notof him. I would rather not grieve on this day. But first, before Ihand thee over to Joan, who doth not yet feel she hath had her share,first tell me which corbel thou wilt choose? I counsel the one oppositeto that thou hast finished. There is no fairer position for showing thebeauty of thy work."

  But Hugh shook his head.

  "Nay, I have set my heart upon another."

  "And which is that?"

  "It is the first which was allotted to me, that on the left as you enterthe choir, where the rood-scr
een is to stand."

  "That!" said Gervase, disappointed. "Bethink thee, Hugh, it is not sowell seen as any of the others."

  "Thou hast ever taught us, goodman, that we should give as good work tothe parts which are not seen as to the rest," said Hugh, mischievously."But, in truth, I have thought so much of that corbel, and let myfancies play about it so long, that it seems more mine own than any.Let me have it."

  "Nay, thou must choose for thyself, for none of us can gainsay thee."

  "And the other should be kept for thee. I know the guild would have thywork before any man's."

  Gervase's eyes brightened.

  "With our Lady and the Blessed Babe--I know