Humphrey said little in reply; he wished to think it over
before he gave any opinion. He told Edward that Jacob had been very
ill the whole of the day, and had requested Alice to read the Bible to
him during the evening.
The next morning Edward went to Jacob, who for the last ten days had
altogether kept his bed, and gave him the detail of what had happened
at the keeper's lodge.
"You have been more bold than prudent, Edward," replied Jacob; "but I
could not expect you to have spoken otherwise. You are too proud and
too manly to tell a lie, and I am glad that it is so. As for your
upholding the king, although he is now a prisoner in their hands, they
can not blame you or punish you for that, as long as you have not
weapons in your hands; but now that they have taken the forest under
their jurisdiction, you must be careful, for they are the ruling
powers at present, and must be obeyed, or the forfeit must be paid.
Still I do not ask you to promise me this or that; I only point out to
you that your sisters will suffer by any imprudence on your part; and
for their sakes be careful. I say this, Edward, because I feel that my
days are numbered, and that in a short time I shall be called away.
You will then have all the load on your shoulders which has been
latterly on mine.
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