would have been.

"Who taught you, I ask?"

"It were Mr. Horner's clerk who learned me, my lady."

"And did Mr. Horner know of it?"

"Yes, my lady. And I am sure I thought for to please him."

"Well! perhaps you were not to blame for that. But I wonder at Mr.
Horner. However, my boy, as you have got possession of edge-tools, you
must have some rules how to use them. Did you never hear that you were
not to open letters?"

"Please, my lady, it were open. Mr. Horner forgot for to seal it, in his
hurry to be off."

"But you must not read letters that are not intended for you. You must
never try to read any letters that are not directed to you, even if they
be open before you."

"Please, may lady, I thought it were good for practice, all as one as a
book."

My lady looked bewildered as to what way she could farther explain to him
the laws of honour as regarded letters.

"You would not listen, I am sure," said she, "to anything you were not
intended to hear?"