human
Good even, Aubrey; I am glad to see you,
gpt
Ay, see him, do! cried Temperance, before Aubrey could answer; and he only gave his hand in silence.
human
Look at him, Hans! Didst ever behold such a pair of pantofles? Five pounds twelve shillings and sixpence! How much cost thine?
gpt
Mine be not so brave as these, replied Hans, smiling.
human
My Lord Oxford's squire must needs wear better raiment than a silkman's apprentice, Mrs Murthwaite.
gpt
Five pounds twelve shillings and sixpence!
human
Come, now, Aunt Temperance! They cost not the half,
gpt
Who didst thou cheat out of them, then?
human
I bought them, he answered, laughing,
gpt
He'll come to no good,
human
You made a good bargain, said Hans.
gpt
That velvet cost full a pound the yard, I should say.
human
Aubrey, inquired Temperance,
gpt
I do marvel, and I would fain know, what thou dost all the day long? Doth thy Lord keep thee standing by his chair, first o' one leg, and then o' tother, while he hath an errand for thee?
human
Why, no, Aunt! I am not an errand-lad, said Aubrey, and laughed more merrily than ever.
gpt
Of late is his Lordship greatly incommoded, and hath kept his chamber during many days of this last month; but when he hath his health, I will specify unto you what I do.
human
Prithee specify, and I shall be fain to hearken.
gpt
Well, of a morning I aid his Lordship at his _lever_, and after breakfast I commonly ride with him, if it be my turn: then will he read an hour or twain in the law, without the Parliament be sitting, when he is much busied, being not only a morning man, but at committees also; in the afternoon he is often at Court, or practising of music--just now he exerciseth himself in broken music [the use of stringed instruments] and brachigraphy [shorthand]: then in the evening we join my Lady and her gentlewomen in the withdrawing chamber, and divers gestes and conceits be used--such as singing, making of anagrams, guessing of riddles, and so forth. There is my day.
human
Forsooth, and a useless one it is, commented she.
gpt
The law-books and the Parliament business seem the only decent things in it.
human
Ah, 'tis full little changed, remarked Lady Louvaine,
gpt
Temperance, I am astonished at you, interposed Faith.
human
You do nought save fault-find poor Aubrey.
gpt
Poor Aubrey! ay, that he is, returned his Aunt,
human
What is the matter?
gpt
There's a pair of velvet pantofles and an other of silken hose the matter, my dear, answered Temperance,
human
They are brave, indeed, said Edith, in her quiet voice.
gpt
I would fain hope it is as fair within as without, my boy.
human
I am afraid not, Aunt Edith.
gpt
But little, said he.
human
There be new laws against witchcraft, which is grown greater and more used than of old, and the King is mightily set against it--folks say he is afraid of it. None should think, I ensure you, how easily frightened is his Majesty, and of matters that should never fright any save a child.
gpt
But that is not news, Aubrey, said his mother plaintively.
human
I want to hear something new.
gpt
There isn't an artichoke in the market this morrow,
human
Temperance, what do you mean?
gpt
Why, that's news, isn't it? I am sure you did not know it, till I told you.
human
Come, lad, out with thy news, added Temperance.
gpt
Wherewith hath my Lady guarded her new spring gowns? That shall serve, I reckon.
human
I have not seen them yet, Aunt. But I heard say of one of the young gentlewomen that silk is now for the first to be woven in England, so 'tis like to be cheaper than of old.
gpt
There's a comfort!
human
I heard tell likewise of a fresh colewort, from Cyprus in the East-- they call it broccoli or kale-flower. Methinks there is nought else, without you would hear of a new fashion of building of churches, late come up--but his Lordship saith 'tis a right ancient fashion, wherein the old Greeks were wont to build their houses and temples.
gpt
Methinks it scarce meet to go to the heathen for the pattern of a church, said Lady Louvaine;
human
In this new fashion he no chancels,
gpt
Well, and I should hold with that, cried Temperance:
human
If men list, my dear, to bring in the superstitions, quietly remarked Lady Louvaine,
gpt
True, Madam: yet would I fain make it as hard to bring them as ever I could.
human
Hans, after all, thou art a good lad. Did I hurt thee?
gpt
Then I did. Well, I am sorry. Shall I give thee a silver chain to make up, old comrade?
human
All is made up. Prithee, give me nothing--save--my brother Aubrey.