ouching whom?" asked Dr Thorpe with a faint sound of satire in his
tone.

But the tone had no effect on Custance.

"Touching Robin," she repeated. "I would fain have you to send him some
physic, an' it like you."

"What shall I send him?" said the Doctor with a grim smile. "A bottle
of cider? He lacketh naught else."

"Nay, but I fear me he groweth too fast for his strength," answered his
mother.

"Then give him more meat and drink," was the rather contemptuous reply.
"The lad is as strong as a horse: he is only a trifle lazy. He lacketh
but stirring up with a poker."

"Send us the poker," said his father, laughing.

"I am not an ironmonger," retorted the Doctor, again with the same grim
smile. "But the boy is all right; women be alway looking out for
trouble and taking thought."

"But I count you know a mother's fears," answered Custance calmly.

"How should I?" said he. "I was never a woman, let alone a mother. I
know all women be fools, saving a handful, of whom Isoult Avery, at
Bradmond yonder, is queen."

Mr Anthony Tremayne laughed heartily. His wife merely replied as
quietly as before. "So be it, Doctor. I suppose men do fall sick at
times, and then they use not to think so for a little while at the
least."

"Well, I said not you were not in the handful," said he, smiling again.

"All that you yourself do know make the handful, I count," said
Tremayne. "Ah! Doctor, your bark did alway pass your bite. But who
goeth yonder? Come within!"

The door opened in answer to his call, and disclosed a good-looking man
in the prime of life, whose dark hair and beard were particularly
luxuriant in growth.

"Ah! Jack Avery, God save thee!" resumed Tremayne, heartily. "Thou art
right welcome. What news?"

"Such news," was the response, in a clear, musical voice, "as we be
scarce like to hear twice this century. May I pray you of a cup of
wine, to drink the health of the King?"

"Fetch it, Robin," said Tremayne. "But what hath the King's Grace done,
Avery? Not, surely, to repeal the Bloody Statute, his sickness making
him more compatient [Note 5] unto his poor subjects? That were good
news!"

"I sorrow to say it," replied Avery, "but this is better news than that
should be." And holding up the cup of wine which Robin offered him, he
said solemnly,--"The King's Majesty, Edward the Sixth! God save him!"

From all except Custance there came in answer such a cry--half
amazement, half e