yes ..." she murmured, terrified.
"But I tell thee that there's something going on," he added significantly.
"La, Master Busy ...

you ...

you terrify me!" she said, on the verge of tears.

"What could there be going on ?" Master Busy raised both his hands and with the right began counting off the fingers of the left.
"Firstly," he began solemnly, "there's an heiress! secondly our master--poor as a church mouse--thirdly a young scholar--secretary, they call him, though he writes no letters, and is all day absorbed in his studies ...

Well, mistress," he concluded, turning a triumphant gaze on her, "tell me, prithee, what happens ?" "What happens, Master Hymn-of-Praise?
...