“Well, I don’t see why not, sir. You’d look fine in that. Wants three or four white ostrich feathers in the little gilt holder of the helmet. White uns would look well with that dark armour. Looks just like copper, don’t it?”
“How long would it take to put it on?” said Roy.
“Hour, sir; and you’d want some high buff boots to wear with it.”
“An hour?” said Roy. “There wouldn’t be time before breakfast.”
“No, sir. But I tell you what—I’ve only cleaned and polished and iled the straps. If you feels as if you’d like to put it on, I’ll go over it well, and see to the buckles and studs: shall I?”
“Yes, do, Ben.”
“That I will, sir. And I say, if, when you’re ready, I was to saddle one of the horses proper, and you was to mount and her ladyship see you, she’d be sorry as ever she wanted you to be a statesman.”
Roy shook his head dubiously.
“Oh, but she would, sir. Man looks grand in his armour and feathers.”
“But I’m only a boy,” said Roy, sadly.