I would do the same, perchance, were I so placed," said the Master Builder; "but we men of business must stick to our work as long as it sticks to us.
"What about your mistress, Lady Scrope, Dorcas?
Has she said aught of leaving London?
She is one who could easily fly.

Not but what I trust the distemper will be kept well out of the city by the care taken." "She has spoken no word of any such thing," answered Dorcas.

"She reads and hears all that is spoken about the plague, and makes my blood run cold by the stories she tells of it in other lands, and during other outbreaks which she can remember.

Methinks sometimes the very hair on my head is standing up in the affright her words bring me.

But she only laughs and mocks, and calls me a little poltroon.