“Have you guessed, Sir John, our dread news?—and you, Dame Cicely?”
“I have guessed, and I think rightly,” answered Sir John. “For Dame Cicely I cannot say.”
I shook mine head, and Sir Simon told me.
“Sir Edward of Caernarvon is dead.”
“Dead—the King!”
“‘The King’ no longer,” saith Sir Simon sorrowfully.
“O Sir Simon!” cried I. “How died he?”
“God knoweth,” he made answer. “I misdoubt if man shall know.”
“Or woman?” quoth Sir John, significantly.
“The schoolmaster learned me that man includeth woman,” saith Sir Simon, smiling full grimly.