His trade brought thither all manner of fine dandies and young bloods, and if it were known that there was a pretty maiden within doors, there would be no end to their attempts to get sight of or speech with her; and any girl's head might be turned by the flowery nonsense that would be spoken and written to her.
"Believe me, you are better where you are, Mistress Rosy," answered Tom.

"I would not have my sister Rachel here, now that I have seen what London is like.

It is a place for men to see at least once in their lives; but women are better away from it.

I looked about at the painted faces, the towering heads, and the huge hoops the other night, and I said to myself, that if my mother or sister were to make of themselves such objects as that, I should be ready to sink into the ground for shame--to say nothing of the ogling, and fan tapping, and silly jargon of talk which would put a chattering monkey to shame!" If Tom was quoting Lord Claud's moralizings, he quoted them in all good faith; for he had been honestly disgusted by the glimpses he had had of the goings on of fine ladies in their houses, and could better appreciate the simplicity and true affection of his own womankind than he had ever done before.
At this moment there smote upon his ears the unwelcome sound of mocking laughter that seemed familiar to him.
"Ho, ho, ho! So the country bumpkin has found a mistress already! So he has had to leave the fine ladies, and mate with one of his own sort after all! Ho, ho, ho! She has a neat foot and ankle, at any rate! Let us see what sort of a face there is under the crimson hood!" Tom felt the girl's hand clutch fast hold of his arm, and his blood began to tingle in his veins.

He was mightily glad that he had buckled on his sword before coming out; although, as he had put on a heavy cloak, it was possible the bullies were not aware of that.
"Which house did your father enter, Mistress Rosamund ?" he asked quickly.
"I did not note," she answered, looking round with frightened eyes; "but methinks it was the one with the steps and the little recess." Tom, making a few rapid strides, whisked her quickly within the shelter of the doorway, saying, as coolly as might be: "Knock, and ask to join your father, if he be within.