“Nay, but what a stupid dream, Mr. More,” says mother.  “If I dreamed at all, it shoulde be of being Lord Chancellor at the leaste.”

“Well, wife,” sayd father, “I forgive thee for not saying at the most.”

July 2.

Erasmus is gone.  His last saying to father was, “They will have you at court yet;” and father’s answer, “When Plato’s year comes round.”

To me he gave a copy—­how precious!—­of his Greek Testament.

July 11.

A forayn mission hath been proposed to father and he did accept.  Lengthe of his stay uncertain, which caste a gloom on alle.

II.—­Father Goeth to the Court

May 27, 1523.

’Tis so manie months agone since I made an entry in my Libellus, as that my motto, Nulla dies sine linea, hath somewhat of sarcasm in it.  In father’s prolonged absence I have toiled at my Opus (the Index Bibliorum), but ’twas not to purpose, and then came that payn in my head.  Father discovered my Opus, and with alle swete gentlenesse told me firmly that there are some things a woman cannot, and some she had better not do.  Yet if I would persist, I shoulde have leisure and quiet and the help of his books.

Hearing Mercy propound the conditions of an hospital for aged and sick folk, father hath devised and given me the conduct of a house of refuge, and oh, what pleasure have I derived from it!  “Have I cured the payn in thy head, miss?” said he.  Then he gave me the key of the hospital, saying, “’Tis yours now, my joy, by livery and seisin.”

August 6.

I wish William would give me back my Testament.

August 7.

Yesterday, father, taking me unawares, asked, “Come, tell me, Meg, why canst not affect Will Roper?”

I was a good while silent, at length made answer, “He is so unlike alle I have been taught to esteem and admire by you.”

“Have at you,” he returned laughing, “I wist not I had been sharpening weapons against myself.”

Then did he plead Will’s cause and bid me take him for what he is.

August 30.

Will is in sore doubte and distresse, and I fear it is my Testament that hath unsettled him.  I have bidden him fast, pray, and use such discipline as our church recommends.

September 2.

I have it from Barbara through her brother, one of the men-servants, that Mr. Roper hath of late lien on the ground and used a knotted cord.  I have made him an abstract from the Fathers for his soul’s comfort.

1524, October.

The king took us by surprise this morning.  Mother had scarce time to slip on her scarlet gown and coif ere he was in the house.  His grace was mighty pleasant to all, and at going, saluted all round, which Bessy took humourously, Daisy immoveablie, Mercy humblie, I distastefullie, and mother delightedlie.  She calls him a fine man; he is indeed big enough, and like to become too big; with long slits of eyes that gaze freelie on all.  His eyebrows are supercilious, and his cheeks puffy.  A rolling, straddling gait and abrupt speech.