Part 27 (2/2)

Gertrude, too, was full of excitement.

”Father has had a summons from the Lord Mayor. He was urgently sent for soon after thou hadst gone. O Reuben, dost think the King has remembered my words to him? dost think he has put in a plea for my father when the city is rebuilt?”

”It is like enough,” answered Reuben; ”they say his Majesty does not forget when his word is plighted. He will be a rich man if he be employed by the corporation. And how goes the sick lady?”

”So well that my lord has taken her away by boat to a villa hard by Lambeth, where she will be quieter and more at rest than she could be here. Janet and Dorcas have gone with her as her maids, her own servants having fled hither and thither. She would fain have had Dinah, too, but Dinah was not willing.”

Husband and wife smiled a little at each other, and then Reuben said:

”Thou, wilt have a stepmother soon, little wife. How wilt thou like that?”

”Well enow, so it be Dinah,” answered Gertrude, smiling; ”but there is the father coming in. Prithee, let me run to him and hear his news!”

Others had seen the approach of the familiar figure, and there was quite a little group around the door of the two houses to ask news of the Master Builder as he approached. His face wore a beaming look, and in reply to the many questions showered upon him he answered gaily:

”In truth, good friends, if the plague ruined me, it seems as though the fire was to set me up again. Here is my Lord Mayor, prompted thereto by his gracious Majesty the King, giving into my hands the task of seeing to the rebuilding of Bridge Ward, Within, Billingsgate Ward, Dowgate Ward, and Candlewick Ward. Four wards to build! why, my fortune is made!”

He gave one quick look at Dinah, and then took her hand in his, all looking smilingly on the while.

”Thou didst not repulse me when I was but a poor and broken man,”

he said; ”but, please Heaven, before many months have pa.s.sed over my head it will be no mockery to speak of me as Master Builder once again!”

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