"Where found ye it?" asked Hubby, at last, not knowing what other question to adventure.
"At Hambleton on th' hill," replied the farmer; "and what think ye to't then now, Master Hubby?" he asked again.
Zerubbabel shook his head, and there was again a profound and perfect silence.
"You know, Davy," said the farmer's wife, at length, "young Bob Rakeabout said he was somehow of a mind it was——"
"Pooh, woman!" said the impatient farmer; "where's the use and sense of telling what such a rattle-scallion as he thinks?"
"Nay, but, Davy," reiterated the spouse, "it may be of use, for they say he's book-larnt."
"Book-larnt! ay, mally good faith, I think as much: and noose-larnt, too," replied the farmer; "and I wish, when his last noose is tied, he may be allowed benefit o' clargy!" and he burst into a loud laugh at his own wit.
"Well, howsomever," said the wife, "young Bob said he could swear it was a spur, and nowt else."
"Calcar equitis Romani, of a verity!" exclaimed Zerubbabel, and danced with ecstasy, till the farmer and his wife stared harder than ever.