Blount gave a long look after him.
"Nobody," he said, "calls me to these mysteries--and he leaves me here to play horse-keeper and child-keeper at once.

I could excuse the one, for I love a good horse naturally; but to be plagued with a bratchet whelp .-- Whence come ye, my fair-favoured little gossip ?" "From the Fens," answered the boy.
"And what didst thou learn there, forward imp ?" "To catch gulls, with their webbed feet and yellow stockings," said the boy.
"Umph!" said Blount, looking down on his own immense roses.

"Nay, then, the devil take him asks thee more questions." Meantime Tressilian traversed the full length of the Great Hall, in which the astonished courtiers formed various groups, and were whispering mysteriously together, while all kept their eyes fixed on the door which led from the upper end of the hall into the Queen's withdrawing apartment.

Raleigh pointed to the door.

Tressilian knocked, and was instantly admitted.