"Master Jackson is going to Madeley," pursued Dick, "and being unacquainted with the country, might get lost at night, so I have promised to show him the way there after supper."
"Then he ben't going to sleep here?" observed Mary.
"No, my good dame, I thank you," said Charles. "To-night I shall sleep at Madeley, and to-morrow cross the Severn. I want to get to the Welsh coast as quickly as I can."
"Don't ask any more questions, Mary, but get supper ready," interposed Dick.
"'Twill be ready in a trice," she replied. "Lay a clean cloth, Frances."
In a very few minutes a large dish of collops and a great bowl of potatoes were placed on the table, and the king and his host sat down to the meal, and were waited upon by Mary Penderel and her niece.
A jug of strong ale helped to wash down the viands. Charles rather suspected from the good dame's manner that she was aware of his rank, but he didn't trouble himself on the subject, but went on with his supper.
An unexpected interruption, however, was offered to the meal. Some one tried the door, and finding it fastened, knocked against it rather authoritatively. Charles instantly laid down his knife and fork and started to his feet.
"Go see who is there," said Dick to his wife. "But let no one in."
On this Mary went to the door, and in as firm a tone as she could command, for she was a good deal frightened, asked who knocked.