I had thank'd
her Thought, but that Richard came in & kiss'd her for it,
saying he een Lov'd her the Better for that she lov'd his
haughty Cozzen. But, O God, they Two went away Hand in Hand!
He forgot me for her sake, so completely that he said not
even, "Good-by."
That night went I to Shooba secretly, and said, "Is thy
Snake awake? For A Thought is in my mind." Then took we
Counsel together. Shooba is a man most cunning in all manner
of Herbs and Simples. They in Hynds House began for to sleep
sweetly and soundly, but felt no ill Effects. Nay, they rose
betimes most pleasantly rest'd & refresh'd.
Then did Shooba and I, who thus had undisturb'd Access to
my Aunt's room, work swiftly until Dawn. Three nights and a
half night did we two work, before our Task was compleat'd,
the Kernell's filch'd from the Nuts, and the Empty Shells
left for my lady's adorning of herself at my lord's
birth-night Ball.
Oh, 't was a rare, rare Jest! I laugh'd and old Shooba
laugh'd. And I did chap them atween my hands, those flaming
Bawbles, as children chap chaff.
Pages:
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291