He hath alway the knife in doublet and the devil
at elbow.
"I wot not of any keeper killed or missing. To lose one's deer and
keeper too were overmuch.
"Do, in God's merciful name, hand unto me a glass of sack, Master
Silas! I wax faintish at the big, squat man. He hath harmed not
only me, but mine. Furthermore, the examination is grown so long."
Then was the wine delivered by Sir Silas into the hand of his
worship, who drank it off in a beaker of about half a pint,--but
little to his satisfaction, for he said shortly afterward, -
"Hast thou poured no water into the sack, good Master Silas? It
seemeth weaker and washier than ordinary, and affordeth small
comfort unto the breast and stomach."
"Not I, truly, sir," replied Master Silas "and the bottle is a fresh
and sound one. The cork reported on drawing, as the best diver doth
on sousing from Warwick bridge into Avon. A rare cork! as bright as
the glass bottle, and as smooth as the lips of any cow."
SIR THOMAS.
"My mouth is out of taste this morning; or the same wine, mayhap,
hath a different force and flavor in the dining-room and among
friends. But to business--what more?"
"Euseby Treen, what may it be?" said I.
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