In the midst of the scheme of the tower a sudden and unexpected visitor was announced by the entrance of his long-coated serving-man, who said that a man from Suffolk had arrived at the college gates, and desired to see him instantly. 'Shall I admit him at once, sir? He comes upon a superb horse, and one which must have a good master, for it is as fat as our Magdalen bucks, and sleek as the Vice-Chancellor.' 'What can he want?' said Wolsey to himself, as his old servant, having received his directions, descended the stone steps to the magnificent portal of the college. 'I say, mister!' said the Suffolk man, who had travelled through many a muddy lane, impassable to vehicles, to reach Oxford, 'is this the house Master Thomas Wolsey lives in?' 'Yes it is, and if thou likest to remain in it, we shall make thee welcome; our bursar never lacks hospitality to the stranger!' 'Is it possible that Master Wolsey can be the owner of this palace?' 'Ay, to be sure, part owner, general purveyor, and I'll warrant as good a master as thou hast got.' 'That remaineth to be proved, though. Do you see, I've as good a master as a man wants; and let me tell ye, time was that your master owned my master for his lord, and bowed his head to him, just as I'll warrant you do to Master Wolsey. But before I go along with you, you must along with me, and show me where the stables are; for I should not like to rest on a good bed myself and my poor horse be standing out all night.' 'Thou shall find good accommodation for man and beast. So lead thy horse along. Our stables are as famous as our tables.' 'Ah!' thought Arthur Burch, 'Mistress Ellen should see this house. I did not think Master Thomas lived in such a place. I don't wonder at his liking it.' The horse was soon stabled, nor would Arthur leave him until he had assisted the far-famed grooms of Magdalen stables to give him a rub down. Jokes, even in those precise and formal days, one hostler would have with another; and it was no little amusement to the knowing pals of the seat of learning to see the country bumpkin mistake a college for one man's palace. 'Your master's house,' said Arthur, 'is larger than that of mine. Do all these horses belong to him?' 'Well, that's a good one. And to whom dost thou suppose they should belong? How many horses has thy master?' 'Four short of thine.' 'Ha! has thy master twelve?' 'He has in all; if I take into the lump old Stumpy, the chesnut punch.' 'What does he do with twelve horses?' 'Why, ride them, to be sure. What does thy master do with his?' 'Keep them for us to ride, to be sure!' 'Well, master does not ride all his horses. There be three for my young mistress, three for journeys, three for work, and three for master. Occasionally, howsome'er, we all mount in procession, and then we look as a lord's retinue should look. Is Master Wolsey's stud as well employed?'