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(Download PDF) Davis Advantage Basic Nursing Thinking Doing and Caring 2nd Edition Treas Test Bank Full Chapter
(Download PDF) Davis Advantage Basic Nursing Thinking Doing and Caring 2nd Edition Treas Test Bank Full Chapter
(Download PDF) Davis Advantage Basic Nursing Thinking Doing and Caring 2nd Edition Treas Test Bank Full Chapter
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Chapter 8. Theory, Research, & Evidence-Based Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
2. Which theorist developed the nursing theory known as the science of human caring?
1) Florence Nightingale
2) Patricia Benner
3) Jean Watson
4) Nola Pender
ANS: 3
Chapter number and title: 8, Theory, Research, & Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter learning objective: Name two prominent nurses who proposed theories of caring.
Chapter page reference: p. 125
Heading: The Importance of Nursing Theory and Research
Integrated Processes: Caring
Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity
Cognitive level: Knowledge [Remembering]
Concept: Evidence-Based Practice
Difficulty: Easy
Feedback
1 Florence Nightingale developed the theory that stated, “A clean environment
would improve the health of patients.” By changing the care environment, she
dramatically reduced the death rate of soldiers.
2 Dr. Patricia Benner’s theory described the progression of a beginning nurse who
learns to be an expert nurse.
3 Dr. Jean Watson developed the nursing theory known as the science of human
caring. Her theory describes caring from a nursing perspective.
4 Nola Pender’s theory on health promotion became the basis for most
health-promotion teaching done by nurses.
3. After helping a client with pain, the nurse forms a mental image of pain based on personal
experience. What best describes the nurse’s mental image?
1) Phenomenon
2) Concept
3) Assumption
4) Definition
ANS: 2
Chapter number and title: 8, Theory, Research, & Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter learning objective: Explain how the four building blocks (components) are used in
developing a theory.
Chapter page reference: p. 126
Heading: What Are the Components of a Theory?
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Cognitive level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Evidence-Based Practice
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 Phenomena are the subject matter of a discipline. They mark the boundaries of a
discipline.
2 A concept is a mental image of a phenomenon, an aspect of reality that you can
observe and experience. In this scenario, the nurse forms a mental image of pain
because of past experiences with pain.
3 An assumption is an idea that is taken for granted. In a theory, the assumption is
the idea that the researcher presumes to be true and does not intend to test with
research.
4 A definition is a statement of the meaning of a term or concept that sets forth the
concept’s characteristics or indicators.
5. The nurse and other hospital personnel strive to keep the patient care area clean. This most
directly illustrates the ideas of which nursing theorist?
1) Virginia Henderson
2) Imogene Rigdon
3) Katherine Kolcaba
4) Florence Nightingale
ANS: 4
Chapter number and title: 8, Theory, Research, & Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter learning objective: Name two prominent nurses who proposed theories of caring.
Chapter page reference: p. 129
Heading: Who Are Some Important Nurse Theorists?
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Cognitive level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Evidence-Based Practice
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 Virginia Henderson identified 14 basic needs that are addressed by nursing care.
2 Imogene Rigdon developed a theory about bereavement of older women after
noticing that older women handle grief in a different manner than do men and
younger women.
3 Katherine Kolcaba developed a theory of holistic comfort in nursing.
4 Florence Nightingale was instrumental in identifying the importance of a clean
patient care environment. During the Crimean War, Nightingale dramatically
reduced the death rate of soldiers by changing the healthcare environment.
7. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which patient need should the nurse address first?
1) Protecting the patient against falls
2) Protecting the patient from an abusive spouse
3) Promoting rest in the critically ill patient
4) Promoting self-esteem after a body image change
ANS: 3
Chapter number and title: 8, Theory, Research, & Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter learning objective: Describe three non-nursing theories and their contributions to
nursing.
Chapter page reference: p. 131
Heading: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Basic Human Needs
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process
Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity
Cognitive level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Evidence-Based Practice
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 Needs for safety are addressed after physiological needs are met.
2 Needs for safety are addressed after physiological needs are met.
3 According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, basic physiological needs should be
met first. They include the need for rest, food, air, water, temperature regulation,
elimination, sex, and physical activity. Therefore, the nurse should address the
critically ill patient’s need for rest first.
4 Self-esteem needs are addressed after physiological, safety, and love/belonging
needs are met.
8. A nurse researcher is designing a research project. After identifying and stating the problem,
the nurse researcher clarifies the purpose of the study. Which step in the research process
should be completed next?
1) Perform a literature review.
2) Develop a conceptual framework.
3) Formulate the hypothesis.
4) Define the study variables.
ANS: 1
Chapter number and title: 8, Theory, Research, & Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter learning objective: List three components of the research process, and explain their
importance.
Chapter page reference: p. 139
Heading: Identify a Clinical Nursing Problem
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Cognitive level: Comprehension [Understanding]
Concept: Evidence-Based Practice
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 After identifying and stating the problem, the nurse researcher should clarify the
purpose of the study. Next, the researcher should perform a literature search to
find out what is already known about the problem
2 After the literature review is completed, the researcher should choose a
conceptual framework.
3 After a conceptual framework is selected, the researcher should formulate the
hypothesis.
4 After the hypothesis is formulated, the researcher should define the study
variables.
9. The mother of a child participating in a research study that uses high-dose steroids wishes to
withdraw her child from the study. Despite reassurance that adverse reactions to steroids in
children are uncommon, the mother still wishes to withdraw. By withdrawing from the study,
the mother is exercising which right?
1) Not to be harmed
2) To self-determination
3) To full disclosure
4) Of confidentiality
ANS: 2
Chapter number and title: 8, Theory, Research, & Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter learning objective: Name three priorities in the process of protecting research
participants.
Chapter page reference: p. 138
Heading: Informed Consent
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Cognitive level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Evidence-Based Practice
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 The right to not be harmed outlines the safety protocols of the study.
2 The mother is exercising the right to self-determination. This refers to the right
of the participant (or parent in the case of a minor) to withdraw from a research
study at any time and for any reason.
3 All research participants also have the right to full disclosure. This guarantees
the participants answers to questions, such as the purpose of the research study,
the risks and benefits, and what happens if the patient feels worse as a result of
the study.
4 Participants have the right to confidentiality. Typically that right is preserved by
giving participants an identification code rather than associating them by name.
10. After suffering an acute myocardial infarction, a patient attends cardiac rehabilitation. This
will help to gradually build his exercise tolerance. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs,
cardiac rehabilitation most directly addresses which need?
1) Safety and security
2) Physiological
3) Self-actualization
4) Self-esteem
ANS: 2
Chapter number and title: 8, Theory, Research, & Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter learning objective: Describe three non-nursing theories and their contributions to
nursing.
Chapter page reference: p. 131
Heading: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Basic Human Needs
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process
Client Need: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
Cognitive level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Evidence-Based Practice
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 Cardiac rehabilitation does not address safety and security needs.
2 Cardiac rehabilitation most directly addresses the patient’s physiological need
for physical activity as well as for health and healing.
3 Cardiac rehabilitation does not address the client’s need for self-actualization.
4 Cardiac rehabilitation does not address the client’s need for self-esteem.
PTS: 1 CON: Evidence-Based Practice
11. In his later work, Maslow identified growth needs that must be met before reaching
self-actualization. What do these needs include?
1) Cognitive and aesthetic needs
2) Love and belonging needs
3) Safety and security needs
4) Physiological and self-esteem needs
ANS: 1
Chapter number and title: 8, Theory, Research, & Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter learning objective: Describe three non-nursing theories and their contributions to
nursing.
Chapter page reference: p. 131
Heading: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Basic Human Needs
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process
Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity
Cognitive level: Knowledge [Remembering]
Concept: Evidence-Based Practice
Difficulty: Easy
Feedback
1 In his later work, Maslow identified two growth needs that must be met before
reaching self-actualization. They include cognitive (to know, understand, and
explore) and aesthetic (for symmetry, order, and beauty) needs.
2 The needs Maslow identified in his earlier work included love and belonging.
3 The needs Maslow identified in his earlier work included safety and security.
4 The needs Maslow identified in his earlier work included physiological and
self-esteem needs.
12. The PICO question reads, “Is TENS effective in the management of chronic low-back pain in
adults?” Which part of this question comes from the “I” in PICO?
1) Adults
2) Management
3) Pain
4) TENS
ANS: 4
Chapter number and title: 8, Theory, Research, & Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter learning objective: Use the PICOT method to formulate a question for guiding a
literature search.
Chapter page reference: p. 139
Heading: Formulate a Searchable Question
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Cognitive level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Evidence-Based Practice
Difficulty: Difficult
Feedback
1 “Adults” comes from patient (P).
2 “Management” comes from the outcome (O).
3 There is no comparison intervention (C) in this PICO question.
4 TENS is the intervention (I) in the PICO system.
13. While reading a journal article, the nurse asks herself these questions: “What is this about
overall? Is it true in whole or in part? Does it matter to my practice?” What is this nurse
doing?
1) Reading the article analytically
2) Performing a literature review
3) Formulating a searchable question
4) Determining the soundness of the article
ANS: 1
Chapter number and title: 8, Theory, Research, & Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter learning objective: Discuss the process of analytic reading, and explain its
significance to the appraisal of research.
Chapter page reference: p. 141
Heading: Analytic Reading
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Cognitive level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Evidence-Based Practice
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 Reading an article analytically involves questioning the article to be sure you
understand it and to determine whether it is applicable to your practice. Such
reading asks these questions: “What is this about as a whole? Is it true in whole
or in part? Does it matter to my practice?”
2 A literature review is performed by searching indexes and databases and reading
more than one article.
3 Formulating a searchable question involves creating a PICO-type statement to
guide a search of the literature.
4 The nurse would determine whether the article is a research report by looking
for the individual parts of the article to see whether they were present in the
form of research.
14. The nurse reviews Patricia Benner’s primacy of caring model for a staff presentation. Which
statement should the nurse use to explain this nursing theory?
1) Caring, in nursing, focuses on cultural competence.
2) Nursing theories describe what is and what is not nursing.
3) Caring is specific and relational for each nurse–client encounter.
4) Nursing assists a person to gain independence as quickly as possible.
ANS: 3
Chapter number and title: 8, Theory, Research, & Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter learning objective: Name two prominent nurses who proposed theories of caring.
Chapter page reference: p. 126
Heading: Patricia Benner
Integrated Processes: Teaching and Learning
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Cognitive level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Evidence-Based Practice
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 Leininger’s theory focuses on caring as cultural competence (using knowledge
of cultures and of nursing to provide culturally congruent and responsible care).
2 Florence Nightingale stated that nursing theories describe and explain what is
and what is not nursing.
3 Benner’s theory stresses that each person is unique, so that caring is always
specific and relational for each nurse–person encounter.
4 Henderson’s definition of nursing states that “the unique function of the nurse is
to assist the individual, sick or well, in the performance of those activities
contributing to health or its recovery (or to a peaceful death) that he would
perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge. And do
this in such a way as to help him gain independence as rapidly as possible.”
15. The nurse locates a research study that addresses a particular client care problem. What should
the nurse do first before implementing the suggestions in the article?
1) Apply nursing expertise.
2) Ask the manager for permission.
3) Discuss findings with the healthcare provider.
4) Locate an organizational policy to support the finding.
ANS: 1
Chapter number and title: 8, Theory, Research, & Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter learning objective: Discuss the significance of evidence-based nursing practice.
Chapter page reference: p. 142
Heading: Integrate the Research Into Your Practice
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Cognitive level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Evidence-Based Practice
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 True evidence-based practice requires that after discovering and critiquing the
best available evidence, nursing expertise must be applied to see how the
recommended interventions fit into the practice setting and whether they are
compatible with patient preferences.
2 Discussing the findings with the manager may need to be done at some point;
however, this is not the first action that the nurse should take.
3 Discussing the findings with the healthcare provider may need to be done at
some point; however, this is not the first action that the nurse should take.
4 It is unlikely that the organization has a policy that supports the findings of a
particular study.
16. At the conclusion of a research study, the nurse analyzes the data. What action should the
nurse take next?
1) Use the findings
2) Select the problem
3) Define the problem
4) Select a research design
ANS: 1
Chapter number and title: 8, Theory, Research, & Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter learning objective: List three components of the research process, and explain their
importance.
Chapter page reference: p. 137
Heading: What Are the Phases of the Research Process?
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Cognitive level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Evidence-Based Practice
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 After analyzing the data, the findings should be used.
2 Selecting the problem is the first step of the research process.
3 Defining the problem is a part of the first step of the research process.
4 Selecting a research design is the second step of the research process.
17. Before conducting research on a group of clients, the nurse makes an appointment with the
Institutional Review Board (IRB). Why did the nurse perform this action?
1) Ensure that the research is of value
2) Review the method to ensure confidentiality
3) Validate whom the subjects should contact with questions
4) Approve the statement that subjects can stop participating at any time
ANS: 1
Chapter number and title: 8, Theory, Research, & Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter learning objective: Name three priorities in the process of protecting research
participants.
Chapter page reference: p. 138
Heading: What Are the Rights of Research Participants?
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Cognitive level: Analysis [Analyzing]
Concept: Evidence-Based Practice
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 One main responsibility of the IRB is to ensure that the research is of value.
2 Confidentiality is an aspect of informed consent.
3 Full disclosure is an aspect of informed consent.
4 Self-determination is an aspect of informed consent.
18. The nurse wonders whether a dry dressing would be more beneficial for a particular type of
wound instead of using the wet-to-damp approach. Which part of the PICOT process is the
nurse defining?
1) Time
2) Outcome
3) Comparison
4) Intervention
ANS: 3
Chapter number and title: 8, Theory, Research, & Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter learning objective: Use the PICOT method to formulate a question for guiding a
literature search.
Chapter page reference: p. 139
Heading: Formulate a Searchable Question
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Cognitive level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Evidence-Based Practice
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 Time determines how often, or when, the outcome will be measured.
2 Outcome is the effect the intervention will ultimately have.
3 Comparison asks what other interventions are being considered or used.
4 Intervention focuses on what might help the problem improve.
19. The nurse is reading a research article. In which section will the nurse locate information that
explains the meaning of the study?
1) Abstract
2) Purpose
3) Conclusion
4) Research design
ANS: 3
Chapter number and title: 8, Theory, Research, & Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter learning objective: Discuss the process of analytic reading, and explain its
significance to the appraisal of research
Chapter page reference: p. 141
Heading: Research Appraisal
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Cognitive level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Evidence-Based Practice
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 The abstract is a brief (perhaps 500 words) summary of the study. It should be
interesting and usually describes at least the purpose, methods, sample, and
findings of the study.
2 The purpose should provide the reasons for doing the study.
3 The discussion of findings and the conclusion are the sections of a research
report that include the “what it means” section.
4 The research design indicates the plan for collecting data.
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
20. The nurse prepares an in-service session on nursing theory prior to a study being conducted on
the care area. Which phrase should the nurse use to explain nursing theory? Select all that
apply.
1) Is a statement of a fact
2) Is based on observations of facts
3) Helps to find meaning in experiences
4) Serves to organize thinking around an idea
5) Is an organized set of related concepts and ideas
ANS: 2, 3, 4, 5
Chapter number and title: 8, Theory, Research, & Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter learning objective: Define nursing theory.
Chapter page reference: p. 126
Heading: Nursing Theories
Integrated Processes: Teaching and Learning
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Cognitive level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Evidence-Based Practice
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1. The theory itself is not a fact.
2. A theory is based on observations of facts.
3. A theory helps to find meaning in experiences.
4. A theory helps to organize thinking around an idea.
5. A theory is an organized set of related ideas and concepts.
21. While reviewing a study in a nursing journal, the nurse wants to identify the theory used.
Which elements of a theory should the nurse identify in the document? Select all that apply.
1) Paradigm
2) Statements
3) Definitions
4) Phenomena
5) Assumptions
ANS: 2, 3, 4, 5
Chapter number and title: 8, Theory, Research, & Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter learning objective: Explain how the four building blocks (components) are used in
developing a theory.
Chapter page reference: p. 126
Heading: What Are the Components of a Theory?
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Cognitive level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Evidence-Based Practice
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1. A paradigm is the worldview or ideology of a discipline. It is the broadest, most
global conceptual framework of a discipline.
2. Statements, or propositions, systematically describe the linkages and
interactions among the concepts of a theory.
3. A definition is a statement of the meaning of a term or concept that sets forth
the concept’s characteristics or indicators.
4. Phenomena are the subject matter of a discipline.
5. Assumptions are the ideas that the theorist or researcher presumes to be true
and does not intend to test with research.
22. The nurse manager provides the staff with a research article about different types of products
used for wound care. What needs to be present to determine whether a nursing theory was
used for this study? Select all that apply.
1) Health
2) Person
3) Nursing
4) Paradigm
5) Environment
ANS: 1, 2, 3, 5
Chapter number and title: 8, Theory, Research, & Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter learning objective: List the four essential concepts in a nursing theory.
Chapter page reference: p. 126
Heading: What Are the Essential Concepts of a Nursing Theory?
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Cognitive level: Knowledge [Remembering]
Concept: Evidence-Based Practice
Difficulty: Easy
Feedback
1. Any nursing theory should address the concept of health.
2. Any nursing theory should address the concept of person.
3. Any nursing theory should address the concept of nursing.
4. A paradigm is the worldview of a discipline.
5. Any nursing theory should address the concept of environment.
23. The nurse plans to assess a client’s developmental stage. Which theorist should the nurse use
as the basis of this assessment? Select all that apply.
1) Selye
2) Gilligan
3) Erickson
4) Kohlberg
5) Bertalanffy
ANS: 2, 3, 4
Chapter number and title: 8, Theory, Research, & Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter learning objective: Describe three non-nursing theories and their contributions to
nursing.
Chapter page reference: p. 133
Heading: Developmental Theories
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Cognitive level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Evidence-Based Practice
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1. Selye created the stress and adaptation theory.
2. Gilligan created a theory of moral development.
3. Erickson created a psychosocial developmental theory.
4. Kohlberg created a theory of moral development.
5. Bertalanffy created the system theory.
24. The nurse plans to explain the difference between qualitative and quantitative research to a
group of staff who will be participating in a research study. Which statement should the nurse
include during this discussion? Select all that apply.
1) Qualitative data are reported as numbers.
2) Qualitative research uses words from people who have been interviewed.
3) Quantitative research focuses on the lived experience of people.
4) Quantitative research shares the experiences of people in the study.
5) Quantitative research gathers data from subjects to generalize results.
ANS: 2, 5
Chapter number and title: 8, Theory, Research, & Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter learning objective: Compare and contrast quantitative and qualitative nursing
research.
Chapter page reference: p. 137
Heading: What Are Two Approaches to Research?
Integrated Processes: Teaching and Learning
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Cognitive level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Evidence-Based Practice
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1. Quantitative data are reported as numbers.
2. Qualitative research uses words, quotations from persons interviewed,
observations, and other nonnumeric sources of data.
3. Qualitative research focuses on the lived experience of people.
4. Qualitative research shares the experience of the people in the study.
5. The main purpose of quantitative research is to gather data from enough
subjects (people being studied) to be able to generalize the results to a similar
population.
"He will tumble into the brook," said the shepherd hastily.
"Run down by the path, Jack, and be ready to help him
out."
Down by the path Jack ran like a deer, but another was
beforehand with him. Bevis, the big sheep-dog, was first at
the spot, and as the poor priest plunged into the somewhat
deep pool at the foot of the slope, Bevis jumped after him
and dragged him out with as little ceremony as if he had
been one of his own wethers. Jack came to the help of the
dog, and between them they got the unlucky father on dry
land, and seated him on a sunny bank.
"He meant no harm," said Jack. "He only wished to pull you
out of the water and mud, which is deep enough to smother
you."
"Were you behind the bush, then, father?" asked Jack, who
had returned with the bottle and a cup, into which he was
pouring a goodly portion of strong waters, alias brandy. "I
humbly crave your pardon, but I took you for an owl."
The priest drank off the contents of the cup with a readiness
and gusto which seemed to show that he was not altogether
unaccustomed to such medicines.
"Thou art a good lad after all," said the priest, whom the
second cup of spirits put into high good humor. "Only
beware thou meddle not with things too high for thee, lest
thou fall into the snare of the wicked; and the next time you
throw a stone, see where it is going to light. Oh, I am
marvellously restored. I think with the help of your arm, I
could walk to the tree yonder where I left my mule."
"Do so, do so, my dear son," replied Sir John. "Why, you are
a good lad after all, as I said but now, and surely no heretic
as that pestilent conceited clerk of mine pretends. 'Twas he
got me into this scrape, a plague upon him! I should have
never thought of listening but for him."
"Oh ho! Then you were listening," thought Jack, "and I dare
say Master Sacristan has been listening too. I will cut down
that thorn tomorrow, and set old Bevis to watch."
"If folk would only mind their own business, there would be
none of this trouble," continued Sir John, whose tongue was
thoroughly loosed. "Here is Father Barnaby now has been
lecturing me about seeking out heretics in my parish and
watching who comes to mass. I am sure, if the heretics will
let me alone, I am willing to let them alone; and as to the
people coming to mass, let them come or go as it pleases
them, so long as they pay their dues and live in peace. Say
you not so, my son?"
All the way back to the hill Jack laughed over the
adventure, but the shepherd looked very grave on hearing
the poor priest's words.
"I do not like the look of it," said he. "There may be no
harm in poor Father John, who is, with all reverence, fonder
of his table and his comfortable cup of spiced ale, than of
anything else in life; but I know something of Father
Barnaby. He has a keen scent for heresy, and he will be
none the sweeter in temper for this suppression of the
convent. We must be very careful."
The next day, Jack cut down the thornbushes and levelled
the ground.
CHAPTER VII.
TWO or three days after the descent of Father John into the
brook, Jack had an opportunity of sending home, by one of
the knight's servants who was going to Bridgewater market.
He wrote a note to his father stating that he had had the ill-
luck to offend the parish priest, and begging for a bottle of
strong waters as a peace-offering. He received more than
he asked, for Master Lucas not only sent the bottle, but also
a mighty and well-seasoned pasty on which he had
expended all his skill, and a basket of sweet cakes and
confections such as were in fashion, with a small parcel of
sugar candy, then a great luxury, and some rare spices.
"Truly, truly, I said thou wert a good lad, though thou dost
throw stones inconsiderately. But boys will be boys, and we
were all young once; all, at least, but Brother Barnaby, who
I do verily believe was born with a shaven head and fifty
years old at the least. Truly your father is a man of taste
and good sense, and no doubt has brought you up well. You
can say your catechism now, I dare say?" asked Sir John, as
though suddenly remembering his priestly character.
"Another time, another time," said the old man hastily. "But
now tell me, of what were you and your uncle talking that
unlucky day, eh?"
"Well, well, I dare say there is no harm. I trust not, for look
you, my boy, you are a scholar and quick for your years,
and like to be taken with novelties; and I would ill like to
have any harm come to you, though you did take me for an
owl," said the father chuckling. "I have no notion myself of
peeping and spying into other men's matters. If they be
heretics, why so much the worse for them; but there is no
need to blaze abroad the matter, and so make two where
was one before. You don't know any heretics in this parish, I
dare say?" said the old man, looking wistfully at Jack.
The old man rose and went to his cupboard, from whence,
after some shuffling of papers, he brought forth a letter
sealed with a gorgeous coat-of-arms.
"And you are sure now that you have the right sense?"
asked Father John.
"Oh, yes, sir. That is the whole of it."
"Oh, my dear son, but are you sure you can do it to the
Abbot's satisfaction? He is a great man, you know, is the
Abbot of Glastonbury."
"Well, well, I will think of it, and inquire about the land, and
tell you what to say. And now see here."
"You say you want a Horace. Well, here is one which was
left me by an old college friend. I cannot use it, and you
can, and it were better in your hands than mouldering away
in this old nook. Take it then, my son, and the saints bless
you. Surely I never thought to like you so well when you
tumbled me into the brook the other day."
Jack could hardly believe in his good luck. Such a beautiful
Horace, with illuminated letters and title. Sir William himself
had nothing like it among his treasures.
Jack hastily arranged the table in order, put away the letter,
picked up the priest's breviary which had fallen on the
ground, and laid it open before him, and then assumed a
respectful position behind Father John's chair, keeping his
beloved Horace in his hand. Presently Father Barnaby
entered. He was a tall, dark, thin man, who looked indeed
as though good eating had little charms for him. He
returned Father John's meek, flustered greeting with a
certain air of condescension and authority, and Jack's
scarcely at all.
"Oh, yes," replied Father John hastily, "and he can say the
seven Penitential Psalms."
"That was a bit of a fib," thought Jack, "but after all, I dare
say he thought he had."
Jack was trying hard to keep his mind in a calm and proper
frame for the trial which he supposed was coming; but he
could not help thinking that he should like to break the
monk's head for his insolence to his old friend. He felt that
Father Barnaby meant to intimidate and confuse him; and
he was determined to be neither confused nor scared. After
another interval of silence, the younger priest began again
—
"But a little, your reverence," returned Jack. "I had but just
begun it when I left school; and I fear I shall find it too hard
without some help."
For more than two hours, till the lay brother he had sent to
the Hall returned with his message, did Father Barnaby
expound to his willing and attentive pupil, divers different
and disputed passages in his favorite author, delighted to
find that Jack understood and appreciated him. Then
bestowing his blessing, and promising to send Jack a copy
of his own treatise, he rode away in high good humor, and
was half way back to the convent where he lived before he
remembered that he had forgotten after all to question Jack
as to his theology.
"Will you give me the notes for the answer to the bishop's
letter?" asked Jack.
"Not to-day, not to-day, my son. My poor old pate buzzes
like a beehive with all this learning. Go, lad, and come
again; let me see, ah, come on Saturday. Be a good lad,
and above all meddle not with heresy. My blessing be upon
this Horace whoever he was," he murmured, when Jack had
taken his departure. "I will certainly say some masses for
him when I have time. And it does no good, it can do no
harm."
CHAPTER VIII.
"I am glad Father Barnaby was diverted for once," said he;
"but I fear he will not be so easily turned aside. From
whence could he have gotten the notion that you were
curious about heretical books?"
"I cannot guess," replied Jack. "I have never spoken a word
to any one but you and Master Fleming. Surely he could not
have played us false!"
"I think not. Did you not tell me once that you had talked
with Anne, and said to her that you would like to read the
Scriptures? And is not Father Barnaby her confessor?"
Jack started and turned pale. "Surely, surely, Anne would
never betray me!" he said. "And yet—"
"I cannot help liking the poor man, in spite of his laziness
and love of eating," said Jack. "He seems so good-natured,
and he was so anxious that I should get on well with Father
Barnaby, who by the way treated him with scant civility. I
thought he might reverence the old man's age at any rate,
for Sir John is old enough to be Father Barnaby's father. I
wonder what in the world brought him up there behind the
thornbush the other day."
"Not his own good will, I dare say," replied the shepherd. "I
should not care if he had been the only listener, but I
shrewdly suspect that sacristan of his has been before him.
He is a sharp fellow, that same sacristan, and I have heard
he was placed here by Father Barnaby to keep a lookout
upon matters in the parish. It has been whispered—take
good heed you whisper it not again—that our good knight is
a favorer of the Gospel, like his father and grandfather
before him; and I suspect Father Barnaby may have put this
Brother Jacob about Sir John as a spy not only on him, but
upon the family at the Hall. He had better not let our knight
catch him at any spy work!" added the old man, smiling
somewhat grimly, "Or he will get a worse fall than poor
Father John's."
For two or three weeks all went on quietly with our friends
at Holford. Mindful of another probable encounter with
Father Barnaby, Jack studied his Horace with diligence, and
stored his mind with hosts of queries to be answered and
difficulties to be solved, should he meet the father again. He
was a good deal startled and shocked by some things he
encountered in his studies, and could not but wonder how
two churchmen like Father Barnaby and Father Thomas of
Glastonbury could bestow so much time and thought upon
ladies of such at the least dubious character as some of
those celebrated by their favorite author.
"Yes, that is true indeed," said the priest with alacrity. "That
would be worse than setting the dogs on me. Well, I will
make the necessary inquiries this very day, and you shall
begin the letter tomorrow. It is a fine thing to be a scholar,
though it sometimes brings people into trouble, as you see.
If you did not know Latin, you would not be burdened with
writing letters for me."
Brother Jacob left the room without more words, and Father
John watched him till he was out of hearing. Then, closing
the door, he turned to Jack once more. "Now, dearest son,
listen to me," said he, laying his hand on Jack's arm, and
speaking with great earnestness. "This same sacristan of
mine has whispered to me, that your uncle is, and hath long
been, suspected of heresy, and that he has been teaching
you the same. I trust it is not so, for your own sake and his.
I ask no questions. I would willingly live in peace with all
men, as you know. But, since they have put Father Barnaby
over my head, I am but a cipher in mine own parish; and if
you or your uncle were to be attainted of heresy, I could do
nothing to save you. I pray you, therefore, be careful to
whom and of what you speak. Make friends with Brother
Jacob if you can, though I doubt he will be harder to
conciliate than I was, although he did not fall so far. And oh,
dear son, for your soul's sake, as well as your body's,
beware of new-fangled doctrines. Surely, what was good
enough for our fathers, may well do for us. I have learned
already to love you; you are like a young brother I had
once, and I do not have many to love nowadays," said the
old man, with a break in his voice and tears in his eyes. "It
would wring my heart, if evil should befall you."
Jack thought on this point all the way home, and at last
concluded it best to tell the story.