The head on the pillow was raised to listen.
"A murrain on those folk.

There has been bungling among the pack-riders.
That new man Derek is an oaf of oafs." She rang her silver bell sharply and waited on the ready footsteps.

But none came.

There was silence now below, an ominous silence.
"God's curse upon this household," the woman cried.

The monkey whimpered again, and she took it by the scruff and tossed it to the floor.