Part 10 (1/2)
”True!”
”Thou hast no thought of quitting the homestead?”
”Heaven forbid! 'twas my father's before me I'll never leave it”
”That's a pity”
”How so?”
”I've co patience with his visitor His thoughts were busy with the rick-makers in the yard, and Master Jeffreys was in no hurry to say his say and be gone He gave hiht hisup
”I can see that thy story will keep another hour I'll send the wench into thee with some ale and venison Eat and drink and take thine ease until I coain” Without another word he vanished
”A hasty fellow,” commented Master Jeffreys ”A few trees and a muddy river ive him a broader view of life; then he will behave in aof his last wagon and the shaping off of his wheat-rick Then he went indoors again, and found his visitor ready to deliver hisabout the bush
It was short, but pointed Jeffreys--who described hientlehbour--was instructed to invite, or rather coh had spoken of hi him Her Majesty was anxious to see the valiant forester, and Jeffreys duly ilorious a chance to push his fortunes
But Morgan was not so eager; in fact, he told the h and honoured the Queen, he did not propose to venture into London Jeffreys argued Morgan was firood Sir Walter or the Queen
If I am left any choice in the matter, I choose to abide in the forest”
”Very well,” said Jeffreys, ”then I'll be going My steed will be rested Canst give uide to Newnham? I want a Captain Dawe”
”Ah!” cried Johnnie, all ears in a ht hath commissioned me to deliver a letter to a Mistress Dorothy Dawe”
”Then I'll get me out of my workday suit and walk to Newnhaht so refreshi+ng as a tra the shaded, woodland ways, and I have a little business of mine own to do with Captain Dawe I shall serve thee and myself at the same time” So much the yeoman said aloud Inwardly he e ducking and bobbing beforethat hopes to start some quarry froe-carrying doesn't get hiht hath not many such as he in his train”
Jeffreys stared when his guide caain into the sunny parlour prepared for his walk to Newnharay had disappeared, and in his place stood a stalwart and handsoreen slashed doublet and hosen of soft creareen cap with a white swan's feather perched jauntily on the dark, curling hair, and fro a sith a delicately chased handle The ”poor gentleay as a dusty barndoor fowl an,” he cried, ”I'ood sooth, I've no wish to walk down Chepe or Whitehall with thee at h the forest, with nought save the birds and beasts to quiz at us, I think I'll co huo a-visiting in as soes to the play Dost mind if I washere we set forth?”
”Ha' done with thy jesting, good sir; thou art a traveller from afar, and lookest the part to perfection I ahbour Let us be jogging; 'tis a long walk to Newnha an at first had little to say, and let his companion rattle on as he pleased about London--its streets, shops, taverns, and theatres But, by-and-by, he becaer over the wild beauties of river and forest, and he told tales of cave and cliff and pool, of boar and deer, pirate and fisherot to Newnhae with fair flowers outside and a fairer floithin ”This is Captain Dawe's house,” said Johnnie
”I thank thee heartily I can knock and introduce o at once to the pretty allantly”
”Trouble not thyself, Master Jeffreys; I shall doin to quicken thine Followthrough the cere this, the forester lifted the latch and stood aside for his co cae,” said Jeffreys
”E'en so,” coood for a townsan strode off kitchenwards There was a sudden, ”La, Jack! thou dost look like a feast day Mind the flour!” After that Jeffreys always declared that he heard the sound of a vigorous kiss Silence followed; then excited whisperings; then a scaan returned and ushered his waiting companion into the parlour
”Captain Dawe is down by the river,” he said; ”Mistress Dorothy will be with us anon”
”And the pretty bird that sang in the kitchen over the flour tub?”