"Hush!" whispered Sheppard, imploringly, and casting nervous glances towards the guest-parlour, as Mistress Sheppard's tones ran up the gamut, till they ended in a shrill treble. "Hush! There's a dear woman. Walls have ears."
"And so much the better if they have; for then they'll be knowin' a piece o' my mind."
"Ah, hush! hush! If the gentlemen should overhear—"
"Gentlemen, quotha! gentlemen!—"
"Ay; there's a live lord among 'em."
"Live lord is there! Then, beshrew me, if it's at court he learnt his manners. Our dame-school brats know 'em better. Why his sacred majesty—"
"Ah, hush! hush!" agonizedly entreated Sheppard.
Lord Howard has his character.
"What should I hush for? His own sacred majesty, I say, always bids me a 'God save you, Mistress Sheppard!' from his coach-door when his coach pulls up here to change horses; and once—well I remember it—his own royal fingers chucked me under the chin. No, I don't say you was by and saw him do't; but he did. Well, well, what's your fine lord's name? Bless the man; can't you speak out? mumblin' as if you hadn't got a tooth in your head! Howard o' what?"
"Escrick. Lord Howard of Escrick."