Tom spoke out, with lively apprehension.
'We be going to the dogs, 'tis plain. 'Tis meet and necessary that
we take a smaller house and set the servants at large, sith they be of
no value but to make delay, and trouble one with offices that harass
the spirit and shame the soul, they misbecoming any but a doll, that
hath nor brains nor hands to help itself withal. I remember me of a
small house that standeth over against the fish-market, by
Billingsgate-'
A sharp pressure upon Tom's arm stopped his foolish tongue and
sent a blush to his face; but no countenance there betrayed any sign
that this strange speech had been remarked or given concern.
A secretary made report that forasmuch as the late king had
provided in his will for conferring the ducal degree upon the Earl
of Hertford and raising his brother, Sir Thomas Seymour, to the
peerage, and likewise Hertford's son to an earldom, together similar
aggrandizements to other great servants of the crown, the council
had resolved to hold a sitting on the 16th February for the delivering
and confirming of these honors; and that meantime the late king not
having granted, in writing, estates suitable to the support of these
dignities, the council, knowing his private wishes in that regard, had
thought proper to grant to Seymour '500 pound lands' and to Hertford's
son '800 pound lands, and 300 pound of the next bishop's lands which
should fall vacant,'- his present majesty being willing.*(11)
Tom was about to blurt out something about the propriety of paying
the late king's debts first before squandering all his money; but a
timely touch upon his arm, from the thoughtful Hertford, saved him
this indiscretion; wherefore he gave the royal assent, without
spoken comment, but with much inward discomfort.
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