"I be, an' proud o't," say I, a-beginning to think that she might 'a' knocked at th' door, for all her greatness.
"Where's th' lass?" saith she,—as she might 'a' said, "Where's my glove?"
Then saith I, "Madam," saith I, "most like she's gone about her business," saith I.
"My good man," saith she, after a fashion that did cause me to feel aught but good,—"my good man," saith she, "dost thou know to whom thou speakest?"
"Verily," saith I, "thou art ahead o' me there, madam."
"Boor," saith she, "I am the Lady o' Balfour Hall."
"An' so could my lass 'a' been, had she willed it," saith I; but, ere I could further forget myself, in comes Keren by another door, and she saith,—
"Father, do thou go out, and leave me to speak with this lady." Then to th' dame she saith, "Your ladyship," saith she, "I am Keren Lemon, that be called th' Farrier Lass. What wouldst thou with me?"
Then I got me out o' th' room, but not out o' hearing distance; and this is what followed.
"I have heard," saith th' dame, "these reports concerning my son Sir Dagonet and thee, and, to my sorrow, I find upon inquiry," saith she, "that they be true. Moreover, though it doth shame me to the dust to confess it, I have had an interview with my son Sir Dagonet," so saith she,—every word o't as I tell thee,—"and he is determined in his purpose o' ruining his life and th' happiness o' his mother. Therefore I have come to thee, to ask that thou persistest in the course which thou hast begun," saith she. "And here," saith she, "is gold to hold thy tongue concerning my visit unto thee." And therewith she did count down ten broad gold pieces upon th' kitchen table. "I must also ask thee," then continued she, ere my lass could answer her, "to allow me to remain under thy roof until my carriage be returned from th' other end o' the village, where it hath been sent with my tire-woman to purchase some ribbon to tie my parrot to 's perch."
Never a word saith my lass, but she goes to th' door and opens it, and, lifting up her voice, she halloos to a little ragged urchin who is at some spot on th' other side o' th' street; and he being come as fast as his little shanks would bring him, she bids him enter, and, taking him up in her arms, she lifts him up so that a can reach th' gold on th' table, and saith she,—
"Thou'rt not o'er-clean to touch, my good little mouse," saith she, "but thou'rt cleaner than that stuff thou seest. There, lad, that's for
