In particular, it is in evidence that
through the wicked power so obtained, they did invoke and bring
about a storm that wasted all the region round about. Above forty
witnesses have proved the storm; and sooth one might have had a
thousand, for all had reason to remember it, sith all had suffered
by it.'
'Certes this is a serious matter.' Tom turned this dark piece of
scoundrelism over in his mind awhile, then asked:
'Suffered the woman, also, by the storm?'
Several old heads among the assemblage nodded their recognition of
the wisdom of this question. The sheriff, however, saw nothing
consequential in the inquiry; he answered, with simple directness.
'Indeed, she did, your majesty, and most righteously, as all aver.
Her habitation was swept away, and herself and child left
shelterless.'
'Methinks the power to do herself so ill a turn was dearly bought.
She had been cheated, had she paid but a farthing for it; that she
paid her soul, and her child's, argueth that she is mad; if she is mad
she knoweth not what she doth, therefore sinneth not.'
The elderly heads nodded recognition of Tom's wisdom once more,
and one individual murmured, 'An the king be mad himself, according to
report, then it is a madness of a sort that would improve the sanity
of some I wot of, if by the gentle providence of God they could but
catch it.'
'What age hath the child?' asked Tom.
'Nine years, please your majesty.'
'By the law of England may a child enter into covenant and sell
itself, my lord?' asked Tom, turning to a learned judge.
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