"Sister, what was that?" she cried, spying beneath the settles and up the wide throat of the chimney. "Methought a dog barked."
"Or a grey goose cackled!"
"Or a donkey sang!"
"Ladies," said Jorian, who, being vastly discomposed, must perforce try to speak with an affectation of being at his ease, "you are pleased to be witty."
"Heaven mend our wit or your judgment!"
"And we are right glad to be your butts. Yet have we been accounted fellows of some humour in our own country and among men——"
"Why, then, did you not stay there?" inquired Martha pointedly.
"It was not Boris and I who could not stay without," retorted Jorian, somewhat nettled, nodding towards the door of the guard-room.
"Well said!" cried frank Anna. "He had you there, Marthe. Pricked in the white! Faith, Sir Jorian pinked us both, for indeed it was we who intruded into these gentlemen's dressing-room. Our excuse is that we are tirewomen, and would fain practise our office when and where we can. Our Princess hath been wedded and needs us but once a week. Noble Wendish gentlemen, will not you engage us?"
She clasped her hands, going a step or two nearer Boris as if in appeal.