esser with _Faith
Murthwaite_ had it liked him so to do. I said so unto him at after, but
all I gat of my noble admiral was "Avast there!" the which I took to
mean that he did desire me to hold my peace. _Wat_ was rare courtly
amongst all us, and had much praise of all the maidens. Me-wondered if
_Gillian Armstrong_ meant not to set her cap at him. But I do misdoubt
mine own self if any such rustical maids as be here shall be like to
serve _Walter's_ turn. I would fain hear more of this daughter of my
Lord of _Sheffield_, that was his _Excellency_, but I am not well
assured if I did well to ask at him or no.

SELWICK HALL, MARCH YE XX.
'Tis agreed that Aunt _Joyce_, in the stead of making an end of her
visit when the six months shall close, shall tarry with us until Sir
_Robert_ and his gentlewomen shall travel southward, the which shall be
in an other three weeks' time thereafter. They look therefore to set
forth in company as about the twentieth of _April_. I am rare glad (and
so methinks be we all) to keep Aunt _Joyce_ a trifle longer. She is
like a fresh breeze blowing through the house, and when she is away, as
_Ned_ saith, we are becalmed. Indeed, I would by my good will have her
here alway.

"Now, _Aunt_," said I, "you shall have time to write your thoughts in
the Chronicle, the which shall end with this month, as 'twas agreed."

"Time!" quoth she. "And how many pages, my sweet scrivener?"

"Trust me, but I'll leave you plenty," said I. "Your part shall be a
deal better worth the reading."

"Go to, Mistress _Edith_!" saith she. "`All the proof of a pudding is
in the eating.'"

"I am sure of that pudding," saith _Milisent_.

"These rash young women!" maketh answer Aunt _Joyce_. "When thou hast
lived fifty or sixty years in this world, my good maid, thou wilt be a
trifle less sure of most things. None be so sure that a box is white of
all sides as they that have seen but one. When thou comest to the
second, and findest it painted grey, thou wilt not be so ready to swear
that the third may not be red."

"But we can be sure of some things, at any years, _Aunt_," saith
_Milly_.

"Canst thou so?" saith Aunt _Joyce_. "Ah, child, thou hast not yet been
down into many deep places. So long as a goat pulls not at his tether,
he may think the whole world lieth afore him when he hath but
half-a-dozen yards. Let him come to pull, and he will find how sh