"'Tis truth, I do ensure you," saith he: "and Sir _Walter Raleigh_, one of the first wits in all _Europe_: and young _Blount_, that is high in the Queen's Majesty's favour: and my young Lord of _Essex_, unto whom she showeth good countenance. 'Tis not possible to lower one's self in the eyes of such men as these--and assuredly I should were I less free-handed." "My word, _Wat_, but thou hast fallen amongst an ill pack of hounds!" saith Aunt _Joyce_. "Then it is possible, or at least more possible, to lower thyself in our eyes, _Wat_?" saith _Father_. "_Father_, you make me to feel 'shamed of myself!" crieth _Wat_. "Yet, think you, so should they when I were among them, if I should hold back from these very deeds." "Then is there no difference, my son," asks _Father_, still as gentle as ever, "betwixt being 'shamed for doing the right, and for doing the wrong?" "But--pardon me, Sir--you are not in it!" saith _Walter_. "Do but think, what it should feel to be counted singular, and as a speckled bird, unlike all around." "Well!" saith Aunt _Joyce_, fervently, "I am five and fifty years of age this morrow; and have in my time done many a foolish deed: but I do thank Heaven that I was never so left to mine own folly as to feel any ambition to make one of a row of buttons!" I laughed--I could not choose. "You are a woman, _Aunt_," saith _Wat_. "'Tis different with you." "I pay you good thanks, Master _Walter Louvaine_," quoth she, "for the finest compliment was ever paid me yet. I am a woman (wherefore I thank God), and therefore (this young gentleman being testimony) have more bravery of soul than a man. For that is what thy words come to, Master _Wat_; though I reckon thou didst not weigh them afore utterance.--Now, _Aubrey_, what art thou about to do with this lad?" "I fear there is but one thing to do," saith _Father_, and he fetched an heavy sigh. "But let us reach the inwards of the matter first. I reckon, _Walter_, thou hast many debts outstanding?" "I am afeared so, Sir," saith _Wat_,--which, to do him credit, did look heartily ashamed of himself. "To what sum shall they reach, thinkest?" _Wat_ fiddled with his chain, and fidgetted on his seat, and _Father_ had need of some patience (which he showed rarely) ere he gat at the full figures. It did then appear that our young gallant should have debts outstanding to the amount of nigh two thousand pounds. "But, _Wat_," saith _Helen_, looking sore puzzled, "how _couldst_ thou spend two thousand pounds when thou hadst but sixty-two in these four years?" "Maidens understand not the pledging of credit," saith _Ned_. "See thou, _Nell_: I am a shop-keeper, and sell silk gowns; and thou wouldst have one that should cost an angel--" "Eh, _Ned_!" crieth she, and all we laughed. "Thou shalt not buy a silk gown under six angels at the very least. Leastwise, not clear silk: it should be all full of gum."