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Show 130 Alone with Hannah and feeling the full impact of what his family had been suffering, he took her hand in his and with trembling voice offered himself as a ransom. "Hannah, I could say the Oath of Supremacy and the Bishop would release me." His words were electrifying. Hannah was unprepared to respond to this expression of love. She touched his face, running her fingers across the bridge of his nose, around his eyes, over his heavy eyebrows, and into the fullness of his beard. "If I were here to tend you, I know you'd get better," his voice agonized. She knew she had to buoy his soul or she would fail him as his helpmeet. Looking deep into his eyes, she said, "My cup runneth over, John. There's no need for you to empty yours on my behalf." Buffeted by the twin emotions of joy and sorrow, his forehead tightened under the strain and fresh tears spilled forth anew in a great flood down his cheeks. "John, the children need you," Hannah reached for his hand. What she couldn't convey in words, she could through touch. "I know. That's why...." "That's why you cannot say that Oath. The 'you' is the man who would die for what he believes," '"I wish I could die. I'd lay down my life for you...for the children. I'd do anything " |
