But come now, mother Rees, confess this all a fable of thine own contriving to make a mock of a farm-bred lad like me.' 'In good sooth, master Heywood,' answered the old woman, 'I tell the tale as 'twas told to me.

I avouch it not for certain, knowing that my son Thomas hath a seething brain and loveth a joke passing well, nor heedeth greatly upon whom he putteth it, whether his master or his mother; but for the stair by the great hall window, that stair have I seen with mine own eyes, though for the horses to come and go thereby, that truly have I not seen.

And for the rest I only say it may well be, for there is nothing of it all which the wise man, my lord Herbert, could not with a word--and that a light one for him to speak, though truly another might be torn to pieces in saying it.' 'I would I might see the place!' murmured Richard.
'An' it were not thou art such a--! But it boots not talking, master Heywood.

Thou art too well known for a puritan--roundhead they call thee; and thou hast given them and theirs too many hard knocks, my son, to look they should be willing to let thee gaze on the wonders of their great house.

Else, being that I am a friend to thee and thine, I would gladly--.