“Marry, nothing so very harsh or stern,” answered Arthur, who was feeling his way carefully, trying to combine truth and policy, but erring distinctly on the side of the latter.  “But those later books which were found in your hiding place and Radley’s room, which are more dangerous and subversive than any that have gone before, are to be cast solemnly out of the place; and, in truth, I think with cause.  See, I have brought you one or two to look at, to show you how even Martin Luther contradicts himself and blasphemes.  How can the Spirit of God be in a man who will say such contrary things at different times?”

And Arthur showed to Anthony a few marked passages in certain treatises, in which the reformer, as was so often the case in his voluminous and hastily-conceived and written works, had flatly contradicted himself, to the perplexity and confusion of his followers.

“Such books are full of danger,” pursued Arthur, speaking rapidly now.  “I say nothing about the translated Scriptures; but the works of a man, and one who is full of excitement and the spirit of controversy, are like to be dangerous to the young.  Let the church read and decide, but do not you disseminate such works.  It may be more sinful than you have thought.

“And now for what will soon happen.  You did see the same in London once.  There will be a fire in Carfax, and those who have circulated and read such books will walk each with his fagot, and cast first these and then the books upon the flames.  So will the bishop be satisfied, and so will peace be restored.

“Be not proud and disobedient, Anthony, and refuse to be reconciled with the mother you have offended.  The cardinal has shown even to Master Garret the error of his ways, and he will be one to share in this act of submission and reconciliation.  He bid me tell you that the hour has not yet come for any further blow to be struck.  He, like Master Clarke, now begins to hope that, having pleaded with their mother, she will hear and cleanse herself from all defilement and impurity.  He will submit and be reconciled; and if he will do this, surely you, friend Anthony, need not stand aloof.”

Anthony was pacing the floor in hot excitement.  He recalled the scene at St. Paul’s the previous year, and his face was working with emotion.

“Am I to be called upon to burn the Word of God, as though it were an unholy thing, to be cast forth from the earth?”

“No,” answered Arthur boldly; “you will only be required to burn a few pamphlets of Martin Luther and other reformers.”

And he vowed in his heart that he would make good this word, and that, whatever other men might do, Anthony’s basket should contain nothing but those later and fiery diatribes, which were certainly not without their element of danger and error and falsehood.

“And if I refuse?”

Arthur answered with a patience and gentleness that went farther than any sort of threat could have done.