“Not yet,” the poet answered; “I will go with you.”
“What danger hast thou braved?” asked Calote in wonder. “What 's the meaning? Methought 't was father's jesting.”
“Thy father saved my life this day from a rout of prentices that would have mauled me as I came hither,—because, forsooth, the seneschal to the Earl of March is cast in prison. But wherefore the good people of London should so concern them about the Earl's servant is riddle too deep for my guessing.”
“The seneschal of the Earl of March?” quoth Calote, wrinkling her brow: “who 's he?”
“A worthy man, one the Earl hath in esteem; 's name's Peter de la Mare.”
“Peter de la Mare!” cried Calote. She stared incredulous, and then her eyes blazed big with indignation. “Seneschal to the Earl of March, forsooth! What didst thou this five month? Hast heard o' the Good Parliament?”
“Assuredly!” the squire made answer, amazed.
“Assuredly!” retorted she. “And yet thou marvellest that the people is angry for the sake of Peter de la Mare? Shall I instruct thee? Hearken: in this same Parliament 't was Peter spoke for the Commons. 'T was Peter dared tell the King his counsellors were thieves, and the people of England should be no more taxed for their sakes. 'T was Peter brought John o' Gaunt to terms, and did fearlessly accuse that rascal merchant, Richard Lyons, and those others. 'T was Peter charged my Lord Latimer with his treachery and forced the Duke to strike him off the council. He dared even meddle 'twixt the old King and Alice Perrers,—and she a witch! But now that's all o'erthrown, for that the Black Prince is dead.—Natheless, when young Richard, thy master, cometh to his kingdom, see thou 'mind him 't was this same Peter de la Mare, with the Commons at 's back, did force the King to make Richard heir to the throne. And this decree—John o' Gaunt dare not overthrow.”
She paused for breath, and the bewildered Stephen, round-eyed, with open mouth, awaited helpless the renewal of her instructing.
“Methought ye nobles were but too busy with affairs of state,” she resumed bitterly; “yet 't would appear otherwise.”