And for the rest--well, I will leave that in your hands." They talked a few minutes longer about Sir Thomas More, and Cromwell told the other what a quiet life the ex-Chancellor had led since his resignation of office, of his house at Chelsea, and the like, and of the decision that he had apparently come to not to mix any further in public affairs.
"There is thunder in the air," he said, "as you know very well, and Master More is no mean weather-prophet.

He mis-liked the matter of the Lady Katharine, and Queen Anne is no friend of his.

I think he is wise to be quiet." Ralph knew perfectly well that this tolerant language did not represent Cromwell's true attitude towards the man of whom they were speaking, but he assented to all that was said, and added a word or two about Sir Thomas More's learning, and of the pleasant manner in which he himself had been received when he had once had had occasion to see him before.
"He was throwing Horace at me," said the other, with a touch of bitterness, "the last time that I was there.

I do not know which he loves best, that or his prayers." Again Ralph recognised an animus.

Cromwell had suffered somewhat from lack of a classical education.
"But it is a good thing to love the classics and devotion," he went on presently with a sententious air, "they are solaces in time of trouble.
I have found that myself." He glanced up at the other and down again.
"I was caught saying our Lady matins one day," he said, "when the Cardinal was in trouble.