At an order the priest was marched out into the yard and everyone followed. The yard was full of people, some openly weeping, and the soldiers with their pikes at the ready.
"Father, give us your blessing!"
Master Robert's hands were still free and he was able to make the sign of the cross over them. His voice, for all his weariness came out strong and with power: "Benedicat vos, omnipotens Deus, Pater et Filius et Spiritus Sanctus."
Rickie, as he answered Amen with the others, felt something like a strong wind blow through his heart. Even the sheriff's men were struck silent for an instant. Then the clamor broke out again, the shouting and swearing, the stamp of horses and the clang of weapons.
Master Robert's arms were bound behind his back and he was set on a horse and led away. "Pray for me."
They all went back into the house. Cecil dragged Rickie away. "Come on, come on, let's go back," she said urgently, tugging at his arm. "I don't like it here anymore."
"I'm not going back. I'm going after him. People have escaped from jail before now. You're selfish! Let go," he said fiercely, pulling away from her.
"I'm not selfish!" Cecil burst into tears. "I'm going! And I shall tell Dominic." Then Cecil dived into the cupboard and disappeared through the hide . . . to come tumbling out into the electric light of the 20th century library . . . alone . . .
This is an adventurous story with a difference—it is set shortly after World War II, but Cecil (short for Cecilia) and her cousin, Rickie, are thrown into a series of adventures that have little to do with the England that they know. Inexplicably, they, and sometimes their eccentric and interesting tutor Dominic, find themselves in another time—usually right in the middle of a dramatic moment. Every dip into time takes them farther back and each time they experience another chapter of the Church's history and teachings. At once fun and frightening, these escapades into the past take on growing significance. Cecil, Rickie, and Dominic are faced with things from their own pasts which touch deeply upon who they are now and who they will choose to be in time to come. They have much to sort out, as history—especially the history of the Christian Faith—comes unexpectedly alive.
Did you find this review helpful?