"Here, give him the Shuttle, and let us see how he will handle it," quod Master Hewet.
"Not mine, he may have Miles's," interposed Tomkins, rising with some Difficulty and going to the other Loom; and I then observed he was very Lame. "Here, Lad, see, this is the Way," quod he.
So I tried, awkwardly enough, and made them both laugh; and laughed too. But I went to it with a Will, and anon they said I was mending.
"Miles might have done an Hour's Work by this Time," observed Tomkins, "but I've seen nought of him."
"Because Mistress Fraunces hath sent him to Trolop's Milk-farm for Curds and Cream," quod my Master; "don't be hard upon him."
"I wish he may not do what he did, the last Time I sent him of an Errand," quod Tomkins dryly—"tarry by the Way to see a Horse-dealer hanged."
"That would have spoiled my Relish for Curds and Cream," quod Master Hewet, "I think he must have returned ere this—Ned shall bring up your Breakfast, Tomkins."
As we went down, "Do all thou canst, Ned," quod my Master, "in the Way of small Kindnesses, for that poor Journeyman Freeman.—A few Years since, a Horse trod upon his Foot and lamed him for Life. My Wife, who was his Foster-sister, and felt a Kindness for him, had him here to nurse; and, by the Time he had recovered as much as he was ever likely to do, he had become so fond of us and of his Attick, that, albeit our Ordinances are somewhat stringent against Master Clothworkers keeping Weavers at Journeywork in their own Houses, the Wardens have overlooked it in his Case, and let him abide on Sufferance. And though I don't expect to make my Fortune by any Weaving I get out of you or Miles, and have indeed Plenty of very different Work for you, yet 'tis well you should know somewhat of the Practice of your Craft, and I look to you to attend to it whenever you would otherwise be in Idleness."
When we reached the Ground-floor, there was Mrs. Fraunces buying Roses and Gilly-flowers at the Door, which she afterwards set in Midst of the Breakfast-table; for 'twas a notable Way of hers I always observed from the first, to contrive to give e'en the simplest Meal the Air of a little Banquet, whether by a Posy, a Dish of Fruit, or whatever it might chance, to grace her plain, plenteous Providings.
The first Note I had of Miles Hackathrift being at Hand, was when I returned from carrying up to Tomkins his fried Fish and Bracket. He came behind me, took me by the Shoulders, and gave me a smart shaking.