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and she said what came first into her mind. As the words were spoken, Joanna blushed. She could not have said anything sillier even if she had tried. She knew quite well that Geoffrey sang English. He could speak it a little too, although not as well as she could. |
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However Geoffrey did not take her up on her idiocy or seem to notice her blush. "The Church was on my mind," he said. It was absolutely necessary to say something, anything, except what was really on his mind. "Some of the lands through which I rode were in a sad state. They were burying men by the side of the road. I have heard also that even the last rites were denied to those in Durham." |
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"Some priests are fools," Joanna replied, lifting eyes that were clear and bright with anger. "Why should the poor servant suffer because the master has committed a fault? Since King John has offended the popealthough I do not too well understand the ins and outs of that matterit is reasonable that the pope punish the king. Why, however, should he place an interdict upon the people? We have not refused obedience." |
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"I suppose the pope believes the king will take pity on his people." |
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Joanna's burst of laughter was not, this time, a pleasant sound. "Do not say so. Surely such a belief can only betoken a wanting mind either in the pope or in those who send him information." |
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"Or perhaps it was to show the king his power, a warning of worse to follow." Geoffrey was far more interested in the play of emotion on Joanna's face than in the story of the pope and king. |
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"So the worse did follow. The king is excommunicated and has been for two years. I do not see that he is much affected by it, but my people. . . Do you remember Cedric Southfold? He served as messenger to my mother for years." |
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"No, IYes, I do. What of him?" |
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"He died some weeks ago, but when he was very ill his old wife came weeping to me that the priest would not give |
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