Mary's Church, and hearing him
use moreover the very words that Matthew fought about, I was
impatient (God forgive me!) for the end and consummation, and I
thought I never should hear those precious words that ease every
man's heart, 'NOW TO CONCLUDE.' However, come they did. I hurried
out among the foremost, and thought the congratulations of the other
doctors and dons would last for ever. He walked sharply off, and
few cared to keep his pace,--for they are lusty men mostly; and
spiteful bad women had breathed {89a} in the faces of some among
them, or the gowns had got between their legs. For my part, I was
not to be balked; so, tripping on aside him, I looked in his face
askance. Whether he misgave or how, he turned his eyes downward.
No matter--have him I would. I licked my lips and smacked them loud
and smart, and scarcely venturing to nod, I gave my head such a sort
of motion as dace and roach give an angler's quill when they begin
to bite. And this fairly hooked him."
"'Young gentleman!' said he, 'where is your gown?'
"'Reverend sir!' said I, 'I am unworthy to wear one.'
"'A proper youth, nevertheless, and mightily well-spoken!' he was
pleased to say.
"'Your reverence hath given me heart, which failed me,' was my
reply.
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