The Armourer's Prentices

Dennet had told her husband that she had been amazed to find how, in spite of a very warm affection for her, her husband, and children, her father hankered after the old name, and grieved that he could not fulfil his old engagement to his cousin Robert.  Giles Headley had managed the business excellently during Stephen’s absence, had shown himself very capable, and gained good opinions from all.  Rubbing about in the world had been very good for him; and she verily believed that nothing would make her father so happy as for them to offer to share the business with Giles.  She would on her part make Aldonza welcome, and had no fears of not agreeing with her.  Besides—if little Giles were indeed to be heir to Testside was not the way made clear?

So thus it was.  The alderman was very happy in the arrangement, and Giles Headley had not forfeited his rights to be a freeman of London or a member of the Armourers’ Guild.  He married Aldonza at Michaelmas, and all went well and peacefully in the household.  Dennet never quitted her father while he lived; but Stephen struggled through winter roads and floods, and reached Baddesley in time to watch his brother depart in peace, his sorrow and indignation for his master healed by the sense of his martyrdom, and his trust firm and joyful.  “If this be, as it is, dying of grief,” said Hal Randall, “surely it is a blessed way to die!”

A few winters later Stephen and Dennet left Giles Headley in sole possession of the Dragon, with their second son as an apprentice, while they themselves took up the old forest life as Master and Mistress Birkenholt of Testside, where they lived and died honoured and loved.

THE END