human
Very well, that is settled, Francis Vere said.
gpt
The earl is journeying down to Hedingham to-morrow, and has kindly promised to take charge of a letter from me to your father, and personally to assure him that this early embarkation upon military life would prove greatly to your advantage.
human
Supposing that you are not killed by the Spaniards or carried off by fever, the earl put in;
gpt
We are ready to take our risk of that, my lord, Geoffrey said;
human
You have not told me yet how it is that I find you in London?
gpt
We only came up for a week, sir, to see the town. We are in charge of Master Lirriper, who owns a barge on the river, and plies between Hedingham and Bricklesey, but who was coming up to London in a craft belonging to his nephew, and who took charge of us. We are staying at the house of Master Swindon, a citizen and ship-chandler.
human
Is Master Lirriper below?
gpt
He is, sir.
human
Then in that case he had better go back to the house and bring your mails here. I shall sail from Deptford the day after to-morrow with the turn of tide. You had best remain here now. There will be many things necessary for you to get before you start. I will give instructions to one of my men-at-arms to go with you to purchase them.
gpt
I will take their outfit upon myself, Francis, the earl said.
human
My steward shall go out with them and see to it. It is the least I can do when I am abetting you in depriving my old tutor of his sons. He touched a bell and a servitor entered.
gpt
See that these young gentlemen are fed and attended to. They will remain here for the night. Tell Master Dotterell to come hither to me.
human
It is all settled, Master Lirriper, they said when they reached the hall below.
gpt
We are to sail with Captain Francis the day after to-morrow, and you will be pleased to hear that the earl himself has taken charge of the matter, and will see our father and communicate the news to him.
human
That is a comfort indeed, John Lirriper said fervently;
gpt
We are to remain here in order that suitable clothes may be obtained for us by the time we sail. Will you bring down to-morrow morning our wallets from Master Swindon's, and thank him and his good dame for their hospitality, and say that we are sorry to leave them thus suddenly without having an opportunity of thanking them ourselves? We will write letters to-night to our father and mother, and give them to you to take with you when you return.