Phœbe hesitated.
"He uses a bad word there," she said, in a low tone. "I'll go on and leave that out."
"Yes, do," said Droop.
"'That —— aunt of thine,'" she continued, reading. "'I know her tricks and I learn how she hath suffered that'——"
"There's another," said Phœbe.
"Skip it," said Droop, gravely.
"'That —— milk-and-water popinjay to come courting my Poll. So see you follow Gregory, mistress, and without wait or parley come with him to the Peacock Inn, where I lie to-night. The grays are in fine fettle and thy black mare grows too fat for want of exercise. Thy mother-in-law commands thy instant return with Gregory, having much business forward with preparing gowns and fallals against our presentation to her Majesty.'"
"It is signed 'Isaac Burton,'" said Phœbe, "and see, the paper was sealed with a steel gauntlet."
Droop examined the seal carefully and then returned it, saying:
"Looks to me like a bunch of 'sparagus tumbled over on one side."