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Show 132 with the children, said Jane." Lathrop nodded knowing that his time was short and that he must leave a blessing with his children that they might be able to endure the days ahead. While the family adjourned to the living room, Elise stayed to attend Hannah. Barbara was the first to speak again. "Art thou 'ome to stay, father?" "My release is just for a moment-to see mother because she is so ill," Lathrop confirmed Barbara's fears. "Then it's true...thou dost not love us!" Benjamen looked at his father as though devastated. "I do love you...I do..." Lathrop drew Barbara and Benny close in a burst of passion. Benjamen was touched by his father's dilemma, "Maybe we could all run away." "There's no place to 'ide from t' Bishop and King," said Samuel. "Father, I've tried to explain why it is that you don't say the Oath of Supremacy, but the children need to hear from you." While Lathrop gathered his thoughts and his young ones around him, Thomas went to the coal stove and began stirring the fresh live coals. Lathrop studied his eldest son in quiet admiration. Without a word of complaint, he had shouldered an awesome burden, one which a lesser man |