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Page 296
generous with both his strength and his money, rushing about the kingdom to be sure that the laws were enforced and that no one took advantage of those who had been ruined by the snow and wind. He had forgiven debts and taxes so that the money could be applied to rebuilding and restocking. But the six years that had passed had not improved John's character. Joanna glanced anxiously at Geoffrey. Her sense of right and justice would not permit her to argue against his going to his uncle, but she feared that the king's rage and spite would be turned upon the bearer of the message as well as upon the senders.
"I will plead for you, of course," Geoffrey was saying soberly. "But you are right to call the fire at this time a curse. So many matters press so weightily on the king in this hour thatI do not knowany other time I need only have begged him to come in person. When he saw what was here, you would have had great help of him. Just now when the Welsh are rising and the king's whole heart is set upon recovering our losses in France" Geoffrey sighed and stood up, the alderman rising with him. "I will ask him to come, but I think you cannot hope for that. I can only promise to do my best, and I will endeavor also to interest my father in your losses."
The alderman knelt and kissed Geoffrey's hand. "God is merciful even to the blackest of sinners. We are punished for the evils that lived in this place, like Sodom and Gomorah, but you are our hope, my lord."
"Do not hope too much," Geoffrey said sadly, and sighed again. "Let me have letters setting out your loss, your troubles, and your needs. I will add in words what I saw with my own eyes."
"So much did we trust in your goodness," the alderman said, reaching inside his robe, "that I was emboldened to bring such letters with me."
He drew out three rolls of parchment with the great seal of London dangling from them. Geoffrey was not surprised. Obviously, the letters would have had to be written and sent whether or not he agreed to carry them. He was a little dis-

 
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