"Whose affair?" interrupted John Shakespeare, "not the one you just now spoke of?"
"Did I hint anything?" inquired Doubletongue.
"About a certain female you did," said John Shakespeare.
"Of illustrious rank?" said Doubletongue. "Why, then you have heard?"
"We have heard what you have just told us," said John Shakespeare.
"The news?"
"The news."
"What! of Queen Elizabeth?"
"Nay, Heaven forbid we should sit to hear such words uttered about our gracious Queen," said John Shakespeare with much solemnity. "'Tis even dangerous to breathe such a scandal in such a quarter."
"Then of whom were we speaking?" said Doubletongue. "I gave no news. I have none to give out concerning our gracious——"