CHAPTER X

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE BUTLERY

"'Behold thou art fair, my love; behold thou art fair; thou hast dove's eyes within thy locks; thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from Mount Gilead.

"'Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which come up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them.

"'Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely; thy temples are like a piece of pomegranate within thy locks.

"'Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armory, whereon there hang a thousand buckles—'"

"Nay, nay, Janet, thou must not idolize me thus, 'tis—"

"Beshrew thy conceit. 'Tis Solomon I repeat. Thou were not thought of when 'twas writ."

Katherine raised upon her elbow and looked surprised at Janet, who knelt by the bed.

"Thy tongue is sharp, Janet, for a day yet in its swaddling hours."