Ah, he used ever to say, if ever man could be brought back from the brink of the grave, it must be by Master Dwining's guidance.

And his ain bairn is brought back this blessed day, and he is lying there stark and stiff, and kens naething of its health and sickness! Oh, woe is me, and walawa! But take the beads, and think on his puir soul, as you put them through your fingers, he will be freed from purgatory the sooner that good people pray to assoilzie him." "Take back your beads, cummer; I know no legerdemain, can do no conjuring tricks," said the mediciner, who, more moved than perhaps his rugged nature had anticipated, endeavoured to avoid receiving the ill omened gift.

But his last words gave offence to the churchman, whose presence he had not recollected when he uttered them.
"How now, sir leech!" said the Dominican, "do you call prayers for the dead juggling tricks?
I know that Chaucer, the English maker, says of you mediciners, that your study is but little on the Bible.

Our mother, the church, hath nodded of late, but her eyes are now opened to discern friends from foes; and be well assured--" "Nay, reverend father," said Dwining, "you take me at too great advantage.

I said I could do no miracles, and was about to add that, as the church certainly could work such conclusions, those rich beads should be deposited in your hands, to be applied as they may best benefit the soul of the deceased." He dropped the beads into the Dominican's hand, and escaped from the house of mourning.
"This was a strangely timed visit," he said to himself, when he got safe out of doors.