WAYFARING HOME 269

Mistress Davenant, a comely dame, with smooth brown
hair and ruddy cheeks, and no less wit than sprightly
grace, was in the porch to meet the company. “Well,
good Dame Clout,” said she, “art home again? What
tales we ‘ll have! Didst see Tom Lane? No? Pshaw!
But buss me, Moll; we ’ve missed thy butter parlously.”
And then quite free she kissed both Nick and Cicely.

“What, there, Dame Davenant!” cried Roger Clout,
“art passing them around?” and laughed, “Do na forget
me.”

‘‘ Nay, nay,” she answered, “but I’m out. Here, Nan,”
she called to the smutty-faced scullery-maid, “a buss for
Master Clout; his own Moll’s busses be na fine enough
since he hath been to town.”

So, joking, laughing, they went in; while plain John
Saddler backed out of the porch as sooty Nan came run-
ning up, for fear the jilt might offer somewhat of the sort
to him, and was off in haste to see to his teams. “There’s
no leaving it to the boys,” said he, “for they ’d rub ’em
down wi’ a water-pail. and give ’em straw to drink.”

When the guests all came to the fourpenny table to sup,
Nick spoke to Master Roger Clout. “Ye ’ve done enough
for us, sir; thank ye with all my heart; but I ’ve a turn:
will serve us here, and, sir, I ’d rather stand on mine own
legs. Yewillnamind?” And when they all were seated
at the board, he rose up stoutly at the end, and called out
brave and clear: “Sirs, and good dames all, will ye be
pleased to have some music while ye eat? For, if ye will,
the little maid and I will sing you the latest song from