“Oh ay,—some portion thereof.”
“Well-a-day! what will this world come to? I was used to hear say, in Queen Mary’s days, that the great Council to London were busy undoing what had been done in King Harry’s and King Edward’s time: but I ne’er heard that the Lord had ta’en His Word in pieces, and laid up an handful thereof as done withal.”
“Barbara, thou hast the strangest sayings!”
“I cry you mercy, Mistress mine,—’tis you that speak strangely.”
“Come hither, and help me set this edge of pearl. Prithee, let such gear a-be. We be no doctors of the schools, thou nor I.”
“We have souls to be saved, Mistress Blanche.”
“Very well: and we have heads to be dressed likewise. Tell me if this cap sit well behind; I am but ill pleased withal.”
Heavy rapid steps came down the corridor, and with a hasty knock, Jennet put her head in at the door.
“Mrs Blanche! Mrs Clare! If you ’ll none miss th’ biggest sight ever you saw, make haste and busk (dress) you, and come down to hall. There’s th’ biggest ship ever were i’ these parts drove ashore o’ Penny Bank. Th’ Master, and Dick, and Sim, and Abel ’s all gone down to th’ shore, long sin’.”
“What manner of ship, Jennet?” asked both the girls at once.