“Sir,” she sobbed, “you will never have the heart to part these babes from all familiar faces, and send them amongst strangers that may use them hardly, to break their baby hearts? Surely the King, that is father of his people, hath never commanded such a thing as that? At the least leave me this little one—or put me in ward with her.”
I was beginning to feel frightened now. I looked at Kate, and read in her face that she was as terrified as I was.
“Tut, tut, Dame,” saith the other officer (Sir Thomas, it seemed to me, enjoyed the scene, and rather wished to prolong it, but this other was of softer metal), “take not on where is no cause, I pray you. The little ones bide here under your good care. Only, as you may guess, we be commanded to take to the King’s use this Castle of Ludlow and all therein, and we charge you—” and he bowed to Dame Hilda, and then to Master Inge—“and you, in the King’s name, that you thwart not nor hinder us, in the execution of his pleasure. Have here our commission.”
Master Inge took the parchment, and scrutinised it most carefully, while Dame Hilda wiped her eyes and put Beatrice down with a fervent “Bless thee, my jewel!”
Now out bursts Jack, with a big sob that he could contain no longer. “Does the King want my new ball of string, and my battledores?”
“Certes,” answered Sir Thomas: but I saw a twinkle in his eye, though his mouth was as grave as might be.
Jack fell a-blubbering.
“No, no—nonsense!” saith the other officer. “Don’t spoil the fun, man!” quoth Sir Thomas. “Fun! it is no fun to these babes,” answered the other. “I’ve a little lad at home, and this mindeth me of him. I cannot bear to see a child cry—and for no cause!—Nay, my little one,” saith he to Jack, “all in this Castle now belongs to the King, as aforetime to thy father: but thy father took not thy balls and battledores from thee, nor will he. Cheer up, for thou hast nought to fear.”
“Please, Sir,” saith Kate, “shall all our brothers and sisters be made monks and nuns, whether they like or no?”
Sir Thomas roared with laughter. His comrade saith gently, “Nay, my little damsel, the King’s will is not so. It is but that they shall be kept safe there during his pleasure.”