But he got little by his move. Master Headley told him, not
unkindly, for he had some pity for the spoilt lad, that not the Lord
Mayor himself would take his own son with him while yet an
apprentice. Tibble Steelman would indeed go to one of the
attendants' tents at the further end of the lists, where repairs to
armour and weapons might be needed, and would take an assistant or
two, but who they might be must depend on his own choice, and if
Giles had any desire to go, he had better don his working dress.

In fact, Tibble meant to take Edmund Burgess and one workman for
use, and one of the new apprentices for pleasure, letting them
change in the middle of the day. The swagger of Giles actually
forfeited for him the first turn, which--though he was no favourite
with the men--would have been granted to his elder years and his
relationship to the master; but on his overbearing demand to enter
the boat which was to carry down a little anvil and charcoal
furnace, with a few tools, rivets, nails, and horse-shoes, Tibble
coolly returned that he needed no such gay birds; but if Giles chose
to be ready in his leathern coat when Stephen Birkenholt came home
at midday, mayhap he might change with him.

Stephen went joyously in the plainest of attire, though Tibble in
fur cap, grimy jerkin, and leathern apron was no elegant steersman;
and Edmund, who was at the age of youthful foppery, shrugged his
shoulders a little, and disguised the garments of the smithy with
his best flat cap and newest mantle.

They kept in the wake of the handsome barge which Master Headley
shared with his friend and brother alderman, Master Hope the draper,