Somewhat like an hour thereafter, when Aunt _Joyce_ and I were alone, she saith all suddenly, without a word of her thoughts aforetime-- "Ay, the lad is his father's son, after all. If he only could learn to spell _Nay_!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Note 1. The reader is requested to remember that these sums must be multiplied by fifteen, to arrive at the equivalents in the present day. Note 2. Paternoster Row was the Regent Street of Elizabeth's reign. Note 3. The word servant was much more loosely used in the sixteenth century than at present. Any lady or gentleman, however well born and educated, in receipt of a salary from an employer, was termed a servant. The Queen's Maids of Honour were in service, and their stipends were termed wages. CHAPTER TEN. IN DEEP PLACES. "So I go on, not knowing-- I would not, if I might. I would rather walk in the dark with God Than go alone in the light: I would rather walk with Him by faith Than go alone by sight." Philip Bliss. (_In Edith's handwriting_.) SELWICK HALL, MARCH THE XVII. Helen's birthday. She is this morrow of the age of seven-and-twenty years, being eldest of all us save _Anstace_. _Alice Lewthwaite_ counts it mighty late to tarry unwed, but I do misdoubt of mine own mind if _Helen_ ever shall wed with any. From _Father_ she had gift of a new prayer-book, with a chain to hang at her girdle: and from _Mother_ a comely fan of ostrich feathers, with a mirror therein set; likewise with a silver chain to hang from the girdle. Aunt _Joyce_ shut into her hand, in greeting of her, five gold _Spanish_ ducats,--a handsome gift, by my troth! But 'tis ever Aunt _Joyce's_ way to make goodly gifts. My Lady _Stafford_ did give a pair of blue sleeves, [Note 1] broidered in silver, whereon I have seen her working these weeks past. Mistress _Martin_, a pair of lovesome white silk stockings [Note 2]. Sir _Robert_, a silver pouncet-box [a kind of vinaigrette] filled with scent. _Anstace_, a broidered girdle of black silk; and _Hal_, a comfit-box with a little gilt spoon. _Milisent_, two dozen of silver buttons; and I, a book of the _Psalms_, the which I wist _Helen_ desired to have (cost me sixteen pence). _Ned_ diverted us all by making her present of a popinjay [parrot], the which he brought with him, and did set in care of _Faith Murthwaite_ till _Nell's_ birthday came. And either _Faith_ or _Ned_ had well trained the same, for no sooner came the green cover off his cage than up goeth his foot to his head, with-- "Good morrow, Mistress _Nell_, and much happiness to you!" All we were mighty taken [amused] with this creature, and I count _Ned_ had no cause to doubt if _Helen_ were pleased or no. Last came _Walter_, which bare in his hand a right pretty box of walnut-wood, lined of red taffeta, and all manner of cunning divisions therein. Saith he--