“Twenty-three of them, weren’t there?”
“Thereabouts. They stood to it awhile, if you mind, and then they made some fashion of submission, and got let off.”
“So they did, but I mind Master Maynard said it was but a sorry sort. He wouldn’t have taken it, quoth he.”
The other woman laughed slightly. “Truly, I believe that, if he had a chance to lay hold on ’em else. He loves bringing folk to book, and prison too.”
“There’s Margaret Thurston coming across,” said the younger woman, after a moment’s pause. “I rather guess she means to turn in here.”
When people say “I guess” now, we set them down at once as Americans; but in 1556 everybody in England said it. Our American cousins have kept many an old word and expression which we have lost. See Note Two.
In another minute a woman came in who was a strong contrast to Alice Mount. Instead of being small, round, and rosy, she was tall and spare, and very pale, as if she might have been ill not long before. She too carried a basket, but though it was only about half as large as Alice’s, it seemed to try her strength much more.
“Good den, neighbour!” said Alice, with a pleasant smile.
“Good den, Alice. I looked not to find you here. What come you after?”
“A piece of kersey for my bettermost gown this summer. What seek you?”