"
Then Sir Thomas took Master Silas again into the bay window, and
said softly, -
"Silas, he hath no inkling of thy meaning. The business is a
ticklish one. I like not overmuch to meddle and make therein."
Master Silas stood dissatisfied awhile, and then answered, -
"The girl's mother, sir, was housemaid and sempstress in your own
family, time back, and you thereby have a right over her unto the
third and fourth generation."
"I may have, Silas," said his worship, "but it was no longer than
four or five years agone that folks were fain to speak maliciously
of me for only finding my horse in her hovel."
Sir Silas looked red and shiny as a ripe strawberry on a
Snitterfield tile, and answered somewhat peevishly, -
"The same folks, I misgive me, may find the rogue's there any night
in the week."
Whereunto replied Sir Thomas, mortifiedly,
"I cannot think it, Silas! I cannot think it."
And after some hesitation and disquiet, -
"Nay, I am resolved I will not think it; no man, friend or enemy,
shall push it into me."
"Worshipful sir," answered Master Silas, "I am as resolute as any
one in what I would think and what I would not think, and never was
known to fight dunghill in either cockpit.
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