We therefore, that dwell in _Selwick_ Hall, be Sir _Aubrey Louvaine_, the owner thereof (that is _Father_), and Dame _Lettice_ his wife, and us their daughters, _Helen, Milisent_, and _Editha_. Moreover, there is Aunt _Joyce Morrell_, that dwelleth in _Oxfordshire_, at _Minster Lovel_, but doth once every five year tarry six months with us, and we with her the like: so that we see each the other once in every two or three years. 'Tis but a week Aunt _Joyce_ hath been hither, so all the six months be to run. And here I should note she is not truly our aunt, but _Father's_ cousin, her mother being sister unto his mother: but _Father_ had never no brother nor sister, and was bred up along, with these his cousins, Aunt _Joyce_ and Aunt _Anstace_, after whom mine eldest sister hath her name: but Aunt _Anstace_ hath been dead these many years, afore any of us were born. I would I had known her; for to hear them talk of her,--_Father_, and _Mother_, and Aunt _Joyce_,--I could well-nigh think her an angel in human flesh. Now, wherefore is it, for I have oft-times marvelled, that we speak more tenderly and reverently of folk that be dead, than of the living? Were I to die a young maid, should _Milly_ (that loves to mock me now) tell her children henceforward of their Aunt _Helen_, as though she had been somewhat better than other women? May-be. If we could only use folks we love, while they do live, with the like loving reverence as we shall do after they be dead, if we overlive them! Wherefore do we not so? We do seem for to forget then all that we loved not in them. Could we not essay to do the same a little sooner? And when _Milly_ cometh hither in her reading, as sure as her name is _Milisent_, shall she say,--"Now, Mistress _Nell_, there you go, a-riding your high horse of philosophy! Prithee, keep to common earth." Beside those I have named, in the house dwelleth Mynheer _Floris Stuyvesant_, a _Dutch_ gentleman that did flee from his country when the persecution was in _Holland_, eleven years gone: and _Father_, which had a little known him aforetime when he made the grand tour, did most gladly welcome him hither, and made him (of his own desire) governor to _Ned_ and _Wat_, our brothers. These our brothers dwell not now at home, for _Wat_ is squire unto my very good Lord of _Oxenford_, that is _Father's_ kinsman: and _Ned_ is at sea with Sir _Humphrey Gilbert_. We therefore see them but rarely. Then, beyond, there is likewise in the house Mistress _Elizabeth Wolvercot_, that is a cousin of _Mother_, whom all we do alway call Cousin _Bess_; she dwelleth with us at all times. Also be _Kate_ and _Caitlin_, of whom I have aforetime spoken: and old _Matthias_, our serving-man; and the boy, _Adam_ o' Bill's o' old Mall's.