back, sir, for there's a great tilting match on hand for the Lady
Mary's wedding. Here have been half the gentlemen in the Court
after you, and my Lord of Buckingham sent twice for you since
Sunday, and once for Tibble Steelman, and his squire swore that if
you were not at his bidding before noon to-morrow, he would have his
new suit of Master Hillyer of the Eagle."

"He shall see me when it suiteth me," said Mr. Headley coolly. "He
wotteth well that Hillyer hath none who can burnish plate armour
like Tibble here."

"Moreover the last iron we had from that knave Mepham is nought. It
works short under the hammer."

"That shall be seen to, Kit. The rest of the budget to-morrow. I
must on to my mother."

For at the doorway, at the head of the stairs, there stood the still
trim and active figure of an old woman, with something of the mouse
likeness seen in her grand-daughter, in the close cap, high hat, and
cloth dress, that sumptuary opinion, if not law, prescribed for the
burgher matron, a white apron, silver chain and bunch of keys at her
girdle. Due and loving greetings passed between mother and son,
after the longest and most perilous absence of Master Headley's
life, and he then presented Giles, to whom the kindly dame offered
hand and cheek, saying, "Welcome, my young kinsman, your good father
was well known and liked here. May you tread in his steps!"

"Thanks, good mistress," returned Giles. "I am thought to have a
pretty taste in the fancy part of the trade. My Lord of Montagu--"