'I have never seen Adam smile before.' She got to her feet and made a little curtsy. 'I did not see you, sir.' She blushed. 'I am meeting Dr Malton here.' 'Yes, I knew he was coming. I try to make Adam laugh. I have not quite managed that, but I got a smile as you saw.' 'Yes.' Adam was now eating as fast as he could. He ignored me. 'I hear the King has proposed legislation forbidding women to read the Bible,' Ellen said. 'Yes, that is right. And uneducated folk.' She smiled sadly. 'Everything is going back to the old ways. Well, perhaps that has to be, it is the new ways that brought poor Adam to this pass.' I looked at her, wondering whether it was because of some religious nonconformity that Ellen was not allowed to leave the Bedlam. But she had spoken with detachment. I looked again at Adam's chained leg. 'Ellen,' I said quietly, 'I do not know why it is you may not leave the Bedlam, but if I can help you in any way I would be pleased.' She gave her sad smile again. 'Thank you, sir.
