thy cock loft. I know thine ears are itching, girl, but I have that
to say which no one must hear save Henry Smith, the son of mine
adoption."

Dorothy did not venture to remonstrate, but, taking off her glass,
or rather her goblet, with good courage, retired to her sleeping
apartment, according to her master's commands.

The two friends were left alone.

"It grieves me, friend Henry," said Simon, filling at the same time
his own glass and his guest's--"it grieves me from my soul that
my daughter retains this silly humor; but also methinks, thou
mightst mend it. Why wouldst thou come hither clattering with thy
sword and dagger, when the girl is so silly that she cannot bear
the sight of these? Dost thou not remember that thou hadst a sort
of quarrel with her even before thy last departure from Perth,
because thou wouldst not go like other honest quiet burghers, but
must be ever armed, like one of the rascally jackmen that wait on
the nobility? Sure it is time enough for decent burgesses to arm at
the tolling of the common bell, which calls us out bodin in effeir
of war."

"Why, my good father, that was not my fault; but I had no sooner
quitted my nag than I run hither to tell you of my return, thinking,
if it were your will to permit me, that I would get your advice
about being Mistress Catharine's Valentine for the year; and then
I heard from Mrs. Dorothy that you were gone to hear mass at the
Black Friars. So I thought I would follow thither, partly to hear
the same mass with you, and partly--Our Lady and St. Valentine