Part 46 (2/2)
”Six s.h.i.+rts, my dear Aunt!--and six pair of stockings!” laughed Jack.
”Why, 'twere not one the day.”
”Two a-week is enow for any man--without he be a chimney-sweep,” said Aunt Rachel oracularly.
This idea evidently amused Jack greatly.
”'Tis in very deed as I said but now: you have no fantasy hereaway of the necessities of a man that is in the Court. He must needs have his broidered s.h.i.+rts, his Italian ruff, well-set, broidered, and starched; his long-breasted French doublet, well bombasted [padded]; his hose,-- either French, Gally, or Venetian; his corked Flemish shoes of white leather; his paned [slashed and puffed with another colour or material]
velvet breeches, guarded with golden lace; his satin cloak, well broidered and laced; his coats of fine cloth, some forty s.h.i.+llings the yard; his long, furred gown of Lukes' [Lucca] velvet; his m.u.f.f, Spanish hat, Toledo rapier; his golden and jewelled ear-rings; his stays--”
A few e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.ns, such as ”Good lack!” and ”Well-a-day!” had been audible from Aunt Rachel as the list proceeded; but Sir Thomas kept silence until the mention of this last article, which was in his eyes a purely feminine item of apparel.
”Nay, Jack, nay, now! Be the men turning women in the Court?”
”And the women turning men, belike,” added Rachel. ”The twain do oft-times go together.”
”My good Sir!” returned Jack, with amused condescension. ”How shall a gentleman go about a sorry figure, more than a gentlewoman?”
”Marry come up!” interposed Rachel. ”If the gentleman thou hast scarce finished busking be not a sorry figure, I ne'er did see the like.”
”Stays, ear-rings, m.u.f.fs!” repeated Sir Thomas under his breath.
”Belike a fan, too, Jack?--and a pomander?--and masks?--and gloves?”
”Gloves, without doubt, sir; and they of fair white Spanish leather, wrought with silk. Masks, but rarely; nor neither fans nor pomanders.”
”Not yet, I reckon. Dear heart! what will the idle young gallants be a-running after the next? We shall have them twisting rats' tails in their hair, or riding in coaches.”
”I ensure you, Sir, many gentlemen do even now ride in coaches. 'Tis said the Queen somewhat misliketh the same.”
”Dear heart!” said Sir Thomas again.
”And now, Sir, you can well see all these must needs be had--”
”Beshrew me, Jack, if I see aught of the sort!”
”All I see,” retorted Rachel, ”is, if they be had, they must be paid for.”
”Nay, worry not the lad thus!” was softly breathed from Lady Enville's corner. ”If other gentlemen wear such gear, Jack must needs have the same also. You would not have him mean and sorry?” [shabby.]
”Thou wouldst have him a scarlet and yellow popinjay!” said Rachel.
”I would not have him mean, Orige,” replied Sir Thomas significantly.
”Well, Sir,--all said, we come to this,” resumed Jack in his airy manner. ”If these bills must needs be paid--and so seem you to say--how shall it be? Must I essay for the monopoly?--or for a wards.h.i.+p?--or for an heir?--or shall I rather trust to my luck at the dice?”
”Buy aught but a living woman!” said Rachel, with much disgust.
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