Alleyne bent knee and doffed hat at the
sight of the open door; but ere he had finished an ave his
comrades were out of sight round the curve of the path, and he
had to run to overtake them."
"What!" he said, "not one word of prayer before God's own open
house? How can ye hope for His blessing upon the day?"
"My friend," said Hordle John, "I have prayed so much during the
last two months, not only during the day, but at matins, lauds,
and the like, when I could scarce keep my head upon my shoulders
for nodding, that I feel that I have somewhat over-prayed
myself."
"How can a man have too much religion?" cried Alleyne earnestly.
"It is the one thing that availeth. A man is but a beast as he
lives from day to day, eating and drinking, breathing and
sleeping. It is only when he raises himself, and concerns
himself with the immortal spirit within him, that he becomes in
very truth a man. Bethink ye how sad a thing it would be that
the blood of the Redeemer should be spilled to no purpose."
"Bless the lad, if he doth not blush like any girl, and yet
preach like the whole College of Cardinals," cried the archer.
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