“’Tis not possible,” returned Jack, with an astonished look. “How should a chapman bear coat armour?”
“I reckon, though, he had fathers afore him,” said Basset, with his eyes shut.
“Nought but common men,” said Jack, with sovereign contempt.
“And ours were uncommon men—there is all the difference,” retorted Basset.
“Yours were, in very deed,” said Jack obsequiously.
This was, in truth, the entire cause of Jack’s desire for Basset’s friendship. The latter, poor fellow! imagined that he was influenced by personal regard.
“Didst think I had forgot it?” replied Basset, smiling.
“Ah! if I had but thy lineage!” answered Jack.
“Thine own is good enough, I cast no doubt. And I dare say Tremayne’s is worth something, if we could but win him to open his mouth thereon.”
Jack’s look was one of complete incredulity.