"No, my father," he said, "there will be light enough."
* * * * *
It would be an hour later, I should suppose, after Master Blytchett was
come back, when he put out his hand again, and I knew that he wished for
the prayers.
Now there was only starlight, for he would have no candles, and the moon
was not yet risen. So I went across to the parlour door, and as I went
through I could see that the chamber was full of persons all silent, but
it was too dark to see who they were. I asked one for a candle, and
presently one was brought, and I saw that my lord cardinal was there,
and ... and ... [The names are omitted as usual. This discreet scribe is
very tiresome.] and many others. It was such a death-bed as a king might
have.
So I read the appointed prayers, kneeling on my knees in the doorway,
and I was answered by those behind me.
When I had done that, I stood up to go back, and my lord cardinal caught
me by the sleeve.
"For the love of Jesu," he said, "ask if we may come in."