“Lo’ you, Custance! I cannot gallop and talk.”
“Hast found that out but now?” was the ironical response.
“Well, if thou must needs have a word,” replied he testily, “he said he loved thee better than all the world. Will that do?”
“Ay, that shall serve,” said Constance in a low voice.
So it might have done—had it been true.
There was silence for half an hour; when Edward said in his gravest tone—
“Custance! I would fain have thee hearken me.”
“For a flyting?” demanded his sister in a tone which was not at all grave. “Thy voice hath sound solemn enough for a justiciary.”
“Niñerias (nonsense), Custance! I speak in sober earnest.”
“Say on, my Lord Judge!”