"She did, sir, and no harm meant; but just doing it gay, as a man will."
"But when you explained this, she wouldn't take no for an answer?"
"She would not, sir. She seemed not to understand. Then I looked at her bonnet and, a thought striking me, I tried `nay' instead. But that didn't work no better than the other. If you could hide me for tonight, Sir John—"
"You had best sleep on the Gauntlet to-night," said my father. "If the woman calls, I will have a talk with her. What is her name, by the way?"
"Martha."
"But I mean her full name."
"I didn't get so far as to inquire, Sir John. But the point is, she knows mine."
CHAPTER X.
OF THE DISCOURSE HELD ON BOARD THE "GAUNTLET."
"The Pilot assured us that, considering the Gentleness of the
Winds and their pleasant Contentions, as also the Clearness of
the Atmosphere and the Calm of the Current, we stood neither in
Hope of much Good nor in Fear of much Harm . . . and advised us
to let the Ship drive, nor busy ourselves with anything but
making good Cheer."
—The Fifth Book of the Good Pantagruel.