"Nay, I like not to hear the Credit of a good Thing taken away from its proper Owner in that Way," quod Mistress Fraunces somewhat warmly. "Why should we say, 'Such an One was prompted?' 'such a Thing was forecast?' Doubtless, we all get our Teaching ... from ourselves or others; and some few, I think, be Heaven-taught."
"Well, well," quod Master Cheke, shelling his Prawns; "'twas a pretty Word, we all must own. How he chode with his Nurse, e'en in the Nursery, for standing on a Bible to reach Somewhat off a Shelf!"
"And that was before he learned Lip wisdom of Master Cheke," quod Mistress Fraunces. "However, Sir, I disparage not your Kinsman, though I will not hear you disparage the King. Honour to whom Honour is due."
I saw an almost imperceptible uprising of Master Cheke's Eyebrows at this, as though he were inwardly saying, "Place to Ladies:" howbeit, Mistress Fraunces kept her Ground, and, I thought, becomingly. She thought so too, and mentioned afterwards that she had given it to him roundly.
Master Hewet was diverting the Discourse, when a Cry without of "Clubs! Clubs!" was followed by a Shrilling and Screaming like Swifts round a Steeple, and an uproarious Hallooing and Whooping all along the Bridge. Master Cheke started up, and then re-seated himself, muttering, "Young Rascallions!"
"And yet," quod Master Hewet, "they are the Stuff our sober substantial Citizens are made of. Oh, Sir, I don't mind speaking freely before my 'Prentice Lads. They will hear no dangerous Matter from me, and cannot be too early made to feel that we are all one Family. Let them be merry and wise; the Error is in aiming to be one without the other."
I would I could call to Mind othermuch that was said: howbeit, I was young and new to Service, and had not yet attained unto the Facility which practised Servitors have of noting each Thing said, hinted, or so much as looked at Table, while attending to such Orders as "The Mustard, Osborne" ... and so forth.
But, or ever they had well sate down, Mistress Anne had run in to wish good Night; and, contriving to tarry, had remained awhile at Master Hewet's Knee, noting all was done and said. And when, referring to some of the King's Council, Master Cheke said, "They are new to their Work, but will take kindly to it presently," she softly sayth, "Like our new 'Prentice!" which made all laugh.
When Master Cheke had departed, and the Day's Work and Prayer were ended, Mistress Fraunces said she would sit up for Miles Hackathrift, who was out too late, and bade me go to Bed, for that she saw I was weary: (and indeed I had ridden the Pillion twenty Mile that Morning.) Wherefore I thankfully crept up to the Loft a-top of the House, wherein were two Tressel-beds; and no sooner lay down than I was asleep; and might have slept all Night without so much as turning; but by and by I was arouzed by the Light of a Lanthorn held close to mine Eyes, which opened, somewhat dazed, on a red, swollen Face, that had too little Brow and too much Cheek and Chin. Then a surly Voice sayth, "So thou's the new 'Prentice, it seemeth! Good so! how prettily thy Mother in the Country hath had thine Hair cut!" I said, "It was cut in Town, not in the Country.—Go away, and take the Light out of mine Eyes, I pr'ythee.... I think thou hast been drinking Something stronger than small Ale, and hast broken thine Indenture." ... "Then I'll brake Something else," quod he; and gave me a Bang on the Head with his Lanthorn, that put the Candle out. Thereafter he had to go to Bed in the Dark; but I wot not if he grumbled thereat, so soon fell I again on Sleep, too weary to resent his Malefices.