Page:The Life of Sir Thomas More (William Roper, ed by Samuel Singer).djvu/128

 would they should somewhat fare the better for me." At whose landing Master Lieutenant was ready at the Tower gate to receive him, where the porter demanded of him his upper garment. Master porter, quoth he, here it is, and took off his cap and delivered. to him, saying, I am very sorry it is no better for thee. No, sir, quoth the porter, I must have your gown. And so was he by Master Lieutenant conveyed to his lodging, where he called unto him one John a Wood his own servant there appointed to attend him, who could neither write nor read, and sware him before the lieutenant, that if he should hear or see him at any time speak or write any matter against the king, the council, or the state of the realm, he should open it to the lieutenant, that the lieutenant might incontinent reveal it to the council. Now when he had remained in the Tower little more than a month, my wife, longing to see her father, by her earnest suit at length got leave to go unto him. At whose coming after the seven psalms and litany said, (which whensoever she came to him, ere he fell in talk of any worldly matters, he used accustomedly to say with her) among other communication he said unto her: "I believe, Megg, that they that have put me here ween they have done me a high displeasure: but I assure thee on my faith, mine own good daughter, if it had not been for my wife and ye that be my children, (whom I ac-