Page 33 of A Column of Fire
Margery stared at him. He was a living icon of Christ and the earthly shepherd of the Christian flock. His words came from God. What was he accusing her of?
He said: ‘You seem to have forgotten the fourth commandment.’
Suddenly Margery felt ashamed. She knew what he meant. She looked down at the floor.
‘Say the fourth commandment, Margery.’
She mumbled: ‘Honour thy father and mother.’
‘Say it louder and more clearly, please.’
She lifted her head but could not meet his eye. ‘Honour thy father and mother,’ she said.
Julius nodded. ‘In the last month you have dishonoured your father and mother, haven’t you?’
Margery nodded. It was true.
‘It’s your sacred duty to do as you’re told.’
‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered miserably.
‘It’s not enough to repent, though, is it, Margery? You know that.’
‘What must I do?’
‘You must cease to sin. You must obey.’
She looked up and met his eye at last. ‘Obey?’
‘This is what God wants.’
‘Is it, really?’
‘It is.’
He was the bishop. He knew what God wanted. And he had told her. She looked down again.
‘I want you to speak to your father, now,’ said Julius.
‘Must I?’
‘You know you must. And I think you know what you have to say. Do you?’
Margery was too choked up to speak, but she nodded.
The bishop made a sign to Lady Jane, who went to the door and opened it. Sir Reginald was waiting there, and he stepped in. He looked at Margery and said: ‘Well?’
‘I’m sorry, Father,’ she said.
He said: ‘So you should be.’
There was a pause. They were waiting for her.
At last she said: ‘I will marry Bart Shiring.’
‘Good girl,’ he said.
Margery stood up. ‘May I go?’
