"That is all as it should be," quoth I, "but for my question, good master barber, I do not find you have answered it."
"Cry you mercy," said the little barber with an innocent air, "but methought I had answered you full and fairly."
"Hath any come hither this morning," I demanded, "besides myself?"
"It is still very early, sir," he replied, rubbing his hands together the while, "but I hope at noon, now, by the which hour as you know, a man's beard commenceth to prick sorely..."
"Hold!" I cried, "I speak not of your hopes, but of your performance. Have you shaved any man this day?"
"Oh, none, sir," he replied, as though it were a thing indecent, and I shocked him.
"You lie," said I coolly, "for one went forth but now."
The barber: "Surely you mistake, sir ... but now I bethink me it was no doubt my lord of Pembroke."
"So then my lord of Pembroke serves my lord of Pembroke, belike," I answered, laughing sourly, "and weareth his cast suits, as did he that went hence."
I never saw a man so taken aback, and all his graces drooped about him like a sere garland.