"Bridget," said Turner, stepping back, "where is the wine?"
"Oh! here—I forgot the wine," said Bridget, handing in a large jug, and then again returning with a number of drinking cups and another measure of wine. Turner placed the liquor on the table, and was just filling some of the cups, when Stephen Holgrave, Thomas Sack, and three others, pushed open the door, and, after a brief salutation, took their seats at the table.
"Here is a health to King Richard and the true commons!" said Holgrave, taking up his cup.
"We have had enough of kings," said Kirkby, "and lords too—I will drink to none but the true commons!"
"Why, as for kings," said Turner, "I am not sure; Richard is but a boy yet, and his father was a——"
"I say we will have no Richard, and no king but King of the Commons, and these we will have in every shire in England!" interrupted John Leicester.
Turner looked as if he thought that he had as much right to deliver his sentiments as the dyer of Norwich, and was about to vindicate his opinions, probably in no very qualified terms, when Black Jack entering, accompanied by a few others, diverted the smith's attention.
"Hah! Jack Straw—welcome!" said Turner; "you see you are not the last. The night is waning, and our friends are not all here yet."
A horn of wine being handed to Oakley, he took his seat at the table; and when about a dozen men had joined them,
"Jack Straw," inquired Turner, "have you made out the conditions?"