if he found work there and didn't start right away, it was a day or two there, at least two days home; and added to the two days that he had already been gone, was about a week total that he would be away from Elizabeth (counting the Lord's day of no traveling). But what choice did he have? That night he prayed that Elizabeth would be cared for and that he might yet find work in Boston.
Richard was up early the next morning, anxious to get on his way to Boston. The monks were very kind and loaded him with as much food as he could carry and with an extra blanket. To further conserve his money, Richard planned to sleep in the woods rather than find other lodgings. He hoped and prayed that the weather would hold good.
Richard made a good distance that day. The weather was good and his strength held up due to the abundance of food that was given to him by the monks. He stayed in the woods a few miles outside Boston. He found an old log with a cut away bank beneath it. He was able to hollow the bank out a little more and found some dried leaves for a bed. It started raining shortly after he completed making his shelter. He gave thanks for the shelter and prayed for Elizabeth and her father.
Richard had planned to arise before the sun was up, but was discouraged from doing so by the continued rain and cold. The extra blanket had been a welcomed asset and even more so since it was dry. His own blanket was still damp from the rain the day before. He was not looking forward to another walk in the rain. Fortunately, it would be a short walk into Boston. He ate some food before leaving the shelter and set a brisk pace despite the mud.
It appeared that today was going to be a market day in Boston because already there were plenty of travelers on the road with Richard. Most were farmers or craftsman with wagon's loaded. Some were wealthy individual's on horseback. Each time a wagon approached from behind, Richard stepped to the side of the road to let it pass. The mud and water were even deeper on the side of the road. After several wagons passed, one driver asked Richard whether he would like a ride. Gratefully, Richard climbed into the wagon. As he rode along, he wondered whether today was a market day in Stamford and whether Elizabeth was going to the market. It seemed odd to him that he had to consider in his mind something that he should have instinctively known. After all, he had been in Stamford all of his life, he should intrinsically know whether it was a market day. He reasoned that the unusual nature of the last couple of days was a little disorienting.
Although a light rain was falling, it was easy to see St. Botolph's in the distance. The Fens' terrain was vast and flat, and the church was very large for a parish church. It rose from the landscape like a large, bare tree trunk in the distance.
Richard arrived in Boston about the time that the towne was waking up. Boston was a busy towne, more crowded and busy than Stamford. Being close to the North Sea and with a tidal river to provide easy docking and passage, Boston was a prime location for trade. Richard would have liked to have visited the market, but with limited funds and a pressing need for work, he headed straight to St. Botolph's.
Richard took courage when he neared the church because it was clear that glass work was being done. He could see a number of openings that were void of glass and other areas that had ample missing sections that would need to be replaced.
Soon, he found the Glazier's shoppe near the church and went inside. The heat of the fire was a most welcoming feeling. The smells and sights of the shoppe made him feel instantly at home.
'Oy, I am Richard Easton of Stamford,' he said to one of the workers who was giving orders to another worker. 'Where can I find the Master?'
'I am 'e, whot do you want,' said the Master Glazier without so much as looking over his shoulder.
'I am a journeyman glazier and need work,' replied Richard.
The master glazier finished stretching the came that he was working on, laid down his tools