Now how was I to let her know even that much of the matter, without breaking compact?
Puzzling on this, I fell asleep, after the proper time to get up; nor was I to be seen at breakfast time; and mother (being quite strange to that) was very uneasy about it.

But Master Stickles assured her that the King's writ often had that effect, and the symptom was a good one.
'Now, Master Stickles, when must we start ?' I asked him, as he lounged in the yard gazing at our turkey poults picking and running in the sun to the tune of their father's gobble.

'Your horse was greatly foundered, sir, and is hardly fit for the road to-day; and Smiler was sledding yesterday all up the higher Cleve; and none of the rest can carry me.' 'In a few more years,' replied the King's officer, contemplating me with much satisfaction; ''twill be a cruelty to any horse to put thee on his back, John.' Master Stickles, by this time, was quite familiar with us, calling me 'Jack,' and Eliza 'Lizzie,' and what I liked the least of all, our pretty Annie 'Nancy.' 'That will be as God pleases, sir,' I answered him, rather sharply; 'and the horse that suffers will not be thine.

But I wish to know when we must start upon our long travel to London town.

I perceive that the matter is of great despatch and urgency.' 'To be sure, so it is, my son.