which suits us burghers best--that of resisting from behind stone
walls. Our duty of watch and ward teaches us that trick; besides,
enough are awake and astir to ensure us peace and quiet till morning.
So come in this way."

So saying, he drew Henry, nothing loth, into the same apartment
where they had supped, and where the old woman, who was on foot,
disturbed as others had been by the nocturnal affray, soon roused
up the fire.

"And now, my doughty son," said the glover, "what liquor wilt thou
pledge thy father in?"

Henry Smith had suffered himself to sink mechanically upon a seat
of old black oak, and now gazed on the fire, that flashed back a
ruddy light over his manly features. He muttered to himself half
audibly: "Good Henry--brave Henry. Ah! had she but said, dear
Henry!"

"What liquors be these?" said the old glover, laughing. "My cellar
holds none such; but if sack, or Rhenish, or wine of Gascony can
serve, why, say the word and the flagon foams, that is all."

"The kindest thanks," said the armourer, still musing, "that's more
than she ever said to me before--the kindest thanks--what may
not that stretch to?"

"It shall stretch like kid's leather, man," said the glover, "if
thou wilt but be ruled, and say what thou wilt take for thy morning's
draught."