“The sweetest little maid in all the world, and of full good conditions (disposition), saving only that she lacketh breeding (education) somewhat.”
“The which Mistress Rachel shall well furnish her withal. She is a throughly good teacher. But I will go and see the sweeting, so soon as I may.”
“Now, Mrs Thekla, of your goodness, do me to wit what manner of folk be these that we be fallen in withal? It were easier for me to govern both Mrs Clare and mine own self, if I might but, know somewhat thereof aforetime.”
“Truly, good friend, they be nowise ill folk,” said Mrs Tremayne, with a quiet smile. “Sir Thomas is like to be a good father unto the child, for he hath a kindly nature. Only, for godliness, I fear I may not say over much. But he is an upright man, and a worthy, as men go in this world. And for my Lady his wife, you know her as well as I.”
“Marry La’kin, and if you do love her no better!—”
“She is but young,” said Mrs Tremayne, excusingly.
“What heard I?” inquired Mrs Rose, looking up from her cookery. “I did think thou hadst been a Christian woman, Barbara Polwhele.”
“Nay, verily, Mistress Rose!—what mean you?” demanded the astonished Barbara.
“Bon!—Is it not the second part of the duty of a Christian woman to love her neighbour as herself?”
“Good lack! ’tis not in human nature,” said Barbara, bluntly. “If we be no Christians short of that, there be right few Christians in all the world, Mistress mine.”