“Poor Maude! hast no mother?—And thy father?”
“Never had I.”
“And thy brethren and sustren?” (Sisters.)
“Ne had I never none.”
“Maiden!” interjected Dame Agnes, “wist not how to speak unto a damosel of high degree? Thou shalt say ‘Lady’ or ‘Madam.’”
“‘Lady’ or ‘Madam,’” repeated Maude obediently.
“How long hast washed yonder pans?” asked Constance, leaning her head on the arm of the chair.
“‘Lady’ or ‘Madam,’” answered Maude, remembering her lesson, “by the space of ten months.”
“The sely hilding!” (sely=simple, hilding=young person of either sex) exclaimed Agnes; while Constance flung herself into another attitude, and laughed with great enjoyment.
“Flyte (scold) her not, Dame Agnes. I do foresee she and I shall be great friends.”