"Thy cow—thy cow! This night let it be rendered. Sir Ralph Assheton never uttered a threat that fell to the ground."
"Mother," said the boy, "is this Sir Ralph, our liege lord?"
"Ay, fool," angrily replied the knight. "And what may thy wits gather by the asking?"
"And will he ever die, mother?"
"Hush, Willy," said the terrified woman.
"Nay," returned the leering half-wit, "I was but a-thinking, that if he does, may be his master too will want a heriot."
"And what may be the name of my master?" said Sir Ralph, with a furious oath.
"The devil," replied the boy, with apparent unconcern.
"Ay,—and what will they give him, dost think?"
"Thee!"