"It be so; and I be he," saith I.
"And be thou th' father o' th' wench they call th' Farrier Lass o' Piping Pebworth?" saith she.
"I be, an' proud o't," say I, a-beginning to think that she might 'a' knocked at th' door, for all her greatness.
"Where's th' lass?" saith she, as she might 'a' said "Where's my glove?"
Then saith I, "Madam," saith I, "most like she's gone about her business," saith I.
"My good man," saith she, after a fashion that did cause me to feel aught but good—"my good man," saith she, "dost thou know to whom thou speakest?"
"Verily," saith I, "thou art ahead o' me there, madam."
"Boor," saith she, "I am the Lady o' Balfour Hall."
"An' so could my lass 'a' been, had she willed it," saith I; but ere I could further forget myself, in comes Keren by another door, and she saith,
"Father, do thou go out, and leave me to speak with this lady." Then to th' dame she saith, "Your ladyship," saith she, "I am Keren Lemon, that be called th' Farrier Lass. What wouldst thou with me?"