And now of all times to jest when the foe is at our doors.

Shame upon you! The old dame has given you no more than your due.

But come with me, and I will get you home ere the town be awake; and have a care how you offend again like this, for the Magistrates will not suffer jests of such a kind at such a time.

Know you not that it is almost enough to frighten a timid serving wench into the distemper to see such signs upon the doors?
And if it break out in the midst of us, who can say where it will end ?" It was Reuben Harmer who spoke, as Frederick very well knew.

The young men had been boys together, and as Reuben was two years the elder, he assumed a tone in speaking which Frederick now keenly resented.