I doubt not that where more loud-tongued and assertive dames might be cowed, the Mayor's soft-voiced daughter would begin to cast off her gentler disposition, and to show the stronger nature which underlay it.

It amused me much to listen to the efforts which Sir Gervas made to converse with her, for the damsel and he lived so entirely in two different worlds, that it took all his gallantry and ready wit to keep on ground which would be intelligible to her.
'No doubt you spend much of your time in reading, Mistress Ruth,' he remarked.

'It puzzles me to think what else you can do so far from town ?' 'Town!' said she in surprise.

'What is Taunton but a town ?' 'Heaven forbid that I should deny it,' replied Sir Gervas, 'more especially in the presence of so many worthy burghers, who have the name of being somewhat jealous of the honour of their native city.

Yet the fact remains, fair mistress, that the town of London so far transcends all other towns that it is called, even as I called it just now, _the_ town.' 'Is it so very large, then ?' she cried, with pretty wonder.