At which speech of the cobbler’s the king laughed, and told him he would be mindful and follow his directions. Whereupon the cobbler kindled up a fire, and fetched out a brown loaf, from which he cut a lusty toast, which he sat baking at the fire; then he brought out his Cheshire cheese. Now, says he, there is as much fellowship in eating as in drinking. Which made the king admire the honest freedom of the cobbler. So having eaten a bit the cobbler began. A health to all true hearts and merry companions; at which the king smiled, saying, friend I’ll pledge thee. In this manner they ate and drank together till it was almost break of day; the cobbler being very free with his liquor, and delighting the king with several of his old stories, insomuch that he was highly pleased with the manner of his entertainment; when, on a sudden, the cobbler’s wife Joan began to awake. I’faith, says the cobbler, you must begone, my wife Joan begins to grumble, she’ll awake presently, and I would not for half the shoes in my shop she should find you here. Then taking the king by the hand, he led him up the stairs, saying, farewell honest friend, it shan’t be long before I make a holyday to come and see thee at court. Thou shalt be kindly welcome, replied the king. So they parted the king on his way to Whitehall, and the cobbler to his cellar, and there putting all things to rights before his wife Joan got up, he went to work again, whistling and singing as merry as he used to be, being much satisfied that he happened on so good and jovial a companion, still pleasing himself in his thoughts how merry he should be when he came to court. CHAP. III. How the Cobbler prepared himself to go to court, and how he was set out in the best manner by his wife Joan. Now as soon as the king came home, he sent out orders about the court, that if any one enquired for him by the name of Harry Tudor, they should immediately bring him before him, whatever he was, without any further examination. The cobbler thought every day a month till he had been at court to see his new acquaintance, and was troubled how he should get leave of his wife Joan, for he could not get without her knowledge, by reason he did resolve to make himself as fine as he could, for his wife always keeped the keys of his holyday clothes; whereupon one evening, as they sat at supper finding her in a very good humour, he began to lay open his mind to her, telling her the whole story of their acquaintance, repeating it over and over again, that he was the most honest fellow that ever he met withal. Husband, quoth she, because you have been so ingenious as to tell me the whole truth, I will give you leave to make a holyday, for this once you shall go to court, and I will make you as fine as I can.