"I was afraid of that when I wrote to you," Sir Ralph laughed, "and felt
that your coming up would cause me to open my purse widely; but, indeed,
in this case you are not far wrong, for there has been a great change in
the fashions both of men and women in the last year. The young king is
fond of brave attire, and loves to see those around him brightly arrayed,
and indeed it seems to me that money is spent over-lavishly, and that it
were cheaper for a man to build him a new castle than to buy him suits of
new raiment for himself and his wife. The men at Court all dress in such
tightly fitting garments, that, for my part, I wonder how they get into
them."

"And the women, husband?"

"Oh, as to that I say nothing; you must use your own eyes in that matter.
However, just at present men's thoughts are too much occupied by these
troubles in Essex and Kent to think much of feasting and entertainments,
and it will be well to wait to see what comes of it before deciding on
making new purchases."

"Is there any chance of trouble in the city, father?" Albert asked.

"I know not, lad. The better class of citizens are assuredly opposed to
those who make these troubles, although they have often shown that they
can make troubles themselves when they think that their privileges are
assailed; still, as they know that their booths are likely to be
ransacked, were bands of rioters to obtain possession of the town, they
will doubtless give us any aid in their power. But the matter does not
depend upon them; there are ever in great towns a majority composed of the
craftsmen, the butchers, and others, together with all the lower rabble,