Pray Heaven that no calamity be near to us!" "Amen!" replied Harmer, gravely; and then the Master Builder retreated down the staircase, whilst from a room below a cheerful voice was heard announcing that supper was ready.
The party therefore all moved downstairs towards the kitchen, where all the meals were taken in company with the apprentices, shopmen, and serving wenches.
Dorcas, the maiden who had brought news of the comet, slipped her.
hand within Reuben's arm, and asked him in a whisper: "Thinkest thou, Reuben, that it betides evil to the city ?" "Nay, I know not what to think," he answered.

"It is a strange thing, and men often say it betides ill; but I have no knowledge of mine own.

I never saw the like before." "They spoke of it at my Lady Scrope's today," said Dorcas.

"I was behind her chair, with her fan and essence bottles, and the lap dogs, when in comes one and another of the old beaux who beguile their leisure with my lady's sharp speeches; and they spoke of this thing, and she laughed them to scorn, and called them fools for listening to old wives' fables.

It is her way thus to revile all who come anigh her.