... We
shall be merry there, little one, never doubt it! Thy troubles will
vanish there, and likewise thy sad distemper-
'"She loved her husband dearilee,
But another man"-
'These be noble large stitches!'- holding the garment up and
viewing it admiringly- 'they have a grandeur and a majesty that do
cause these small stingy ones of the tailor-man to look mighty
paltry and plebeian-
'"She loved her husband dearilee,
But another man he loved she,"-
'Marry, 'tis done- a goodly piece of work, too, and wrought with
expedition. Now will I wake him, apparel him, pour for him, feed
him, and then will we hie us to the mart by the Tabard inn in
Southwark and- be pleased to rise, my liege!- he answereth not- what
ho, my liege!- of a truth must I profane his sacred person with a
touch, sith his slumber is deaf to speech. What!'
He threw back the covers- the boy was gone!
He stared about him in speechless astonishment for a moment;
noticed for the first time that his ward's ragged raiment was also
missing, then he began to rage and storm, and shout for the
inn-keeper. At that moment a servant entered with the breakfast.
'Explain, thou limb of Satan, or thy time is come! 'roared the man
of war, and made so savage a spring toward the waiter that this latter
could not find his tongue, for the instant, for fright and surprise.
'Where is the boy?'
In disjointed and trembling syllables the man gave the information
desired.
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