Gerard returned to the stove, and gobbled.
the rest of his sausage, casting uneasy glances at the landlady, seated silent as fate amid the prostrate multitude.

The food bolted, he went to her, and said, "Thank you kindly, dame, for waiting for me." "You are welcome," said she calmly, making neither much nor little of the favour; and with that began to gather up the feathers.

But Gerard stopped her.

"Nay, that is my task;" and he went down on his knees, and collected them with ardour.

She watched him demurely.
"I wot not whence ye come," said she, with a relic of distrust; adding, more cordially, "but ye have been well brought up;--y' have had a good mother, I'll go bail." At the door she committed the whole company to Heaven, in a formula, and disappeared.