Silence was not observed in cathedrals or churches, especially in the
naves, except when any sacred rite was going on, and no sooner was
the mass finished and "Ite missa est" pronounced than the scarlet
cloak rose, and hastened into the south transept, where she waited
for the Chaplain, Prioress, and Grisell. No introduction seemed
needed. "The Holy Mother Prioress," she began, bending her knee and
kissing the lady's hand. "Much honoured am I by the charge of this
noble little lady." Grisell by the by was far taller than the plump
little goodwoman Hall, but that was no matter, and the Prioress had
barely space to get in a word of thanks before she went on: "I will
keep her and tend her as the apple of mine eye. She shall pray with
me at all the holy shrines for the good of her soul and mine. She
shall be my bedfellow wherever we halt, and sit next me, and be
cherished as though she were mine own daughter--ladybird as she is--
till I can give her into the hands of the good Lady Countess. Oh
yes--you may trust Joan Hall, dame reverend mother. She is no new
traveller. I have been in my time to all our shrines--to St. Thomas
of Canterbury, to St. Winifred's Well, aye, and, moreover, to St.
James of Compostella, and St. Martha of Provence, not to speak of
lesser chantries and Saints. Aye, and I crossed the sea to see the
holy coat of Treves, and St. Ursula's eleven thousand skulls--and a
gruesome sight they were.
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