"Jacks an' ouzles, if ye like, Master Gervase. Clim' up, clim' up, lad, an there'll be a prial on us. Ha, ha! What! our little sweetheart there would liefer t' be gangin.' Weel, weel, 'tis natural, as a body may say—
"One is good, and two is good,
But three's no company."
"Answer me quick, thou rogue. Is there any other but thyself yonder above?"
"When I'm there I'm not here, an' when I'm here"——
"Sirrah, I'll flog the wind out o' thy worthless carcase. Hast any pilfering companions about thee? I do smell a savoury refection—victuals are cooking, or my nose belies its office."
"Fair speech, friend, wins a quiet answer; a soft word and a smooth tongue all the world over. What for mayn't I sup as well as my betters?"
"As well?—better belike. There's no such savour in our hall at eventide, nor in the best kitchen in the parish."
"It's not my fau't, is't?"
"By'r lady, there's somebody in the chamber there. I saw the leaves fluttering from the loophole. Villain, who bears thee company?"
"Daft, daft. What fool would turn into roost wi' me? Clean gone crazy, sure as I'm livin'."