lorence, tied it up, received the twelve
shillings, which Audrey drew from her pocket as slowly as possible,
perhaps fancying that Mrs Clere might relent, and threw it into the
till as if the coins were severely to blame for something. Audrey took
up her purchase, and went out.

"Whatever's come to Mistress Clere?" asked a young woman who stood next
to Rose, waiting to be served. "She and Audrey Wastborowe's changed
tempers this morrow."

"Something's vexed her," said Rose. "I'm sorry, for I want to ask her a
favour, when I've done my business."

"She's not in a mood for favour-granting," said the young woman.
"That's plain. You'd better let be while she's come round."

"Nay, I can't let be," whispered Rose in answer.

"Now or never, is it? Well, I wish you well through it."

Mistress Clere, who had been serving another customer with an ounce of
thread--there were no reels of thread in those days; it was only sold in
skeins or large hanks--now came to Rose and the other girl.

"Good-morrow, Gillian Mildmay! What's wanting?"

"Good-morrow, Mistress Clere! My mother bade me ask if you had a fine
marble cloth, about five shillings the ell, for a bettermost gown for
her."

Mrs Clere spoke a little less crossly, but with a weary air.

"Marbled cloth's not so much worn as it was," she said; "but I have a
fair piece that may serve your turn. It's more nor that, though. I
couldn't let it go under five and eightpence."

"Mother'll want it better cheap than that," said Gillian. "_I_ think
that'll not serve her, Mistress Clere. But I want a pair of tawny
sleeves, an't like you, wrought with needlework."

Sleeves, at this time, were not a part of the dress, but were buttoned
in as the wearer chose to have them. Gillian found these to suit her,
paid for them, and went away. Mrs Clere turned to Rose.

"Now, then, do be hasteful, Rose Allen; I'm that weary!"

"You seem so in truth, Mistress Clere. I'm feared you've been
overwrought," said Rose, in a sympathising tone.

"Overwrought? Ay, body and soul too," answered Mrs Clere, softening a
little in response to Rose's tone. "Well! folks know their own troubles
best, I reckon, and it's no good harrying other folks with them. What
priced serge would you have?"

"About eighteenpence, have you some?"

"One and eightpence; and one and fourpence. The one-and-fourpenny's
right good, you'll find."

"Thank you, I'll take the one-and-fourpenny: it'll be qui