"You don't mean that this tender creature is to clean stables, brother?" Lionel demanded impulsively. "Well, she might work in the garden instead if she prefers it. Fifty crowns shall be your wages; and, to be brief, everything found! Beer and cheese for supper on week days; and on Sundays, good roast beef." Lady Harriet tried to control her laughter. "Who could resist so splendid an offer," she asked of Nancy. Nancy for her part was nearly dying of laughter. "Not we, not we, Martha." "'Tis done, then; we will go." "Then by the powers, here's the shilling to bind the bargain," Lionel cried, fearful lest after all he and Plunkett should lose them; so he handed over the shilling to Lady Harriet, who, not knowing that this bound her to their service for a year, took it as a part of the fun. Was there ever so droll a situation? I began to feel not quite at ease, the girls then said to each other, and they began to look about for Tristram. He had got away, trying to rid himself of the maids, but now he came back again, still followed by the whole of them. He was the image of despair. "Here's a pound to pay the forfeit," he cried to the maids, giving them money. "And now for heaven's sake let me go. But--but how is this--all so friendly," he gasped in amazement, observing Plunkett and Lionel, Lady Harriet and Nancy. "Who are you?" demanded Plunkett in a threatening manner. "Oh, good-bye," Harriet cried now to the farmers, and she went to Sir Tristram. They had had enough of it now, and decided to go home. "Good-bye?" cried Plunkett. "Are you demented? Did ye not hire to us? Good-bye?" "Hush! O lord! That wasn't our intention. What if it should be heard of at court?" "Really we must go," she repeated, starting again to go to Tristram while Plunkett held her back. "I guess you go no place but home with us! You're hired, do you understand? You took the shilling. You are hired to serve us for one year. Now no more nonsense. Here, sheriff, tell these girls about this." "Why, if you have taken the earnest money, ye are bound to go," said the sheriff. "So go along and make no more trouble, or I'll look after ye." Now the women were in a pickle. If they persisted, of course they would be set free when it was known they belonged to Queen Anne's court; but they could never live down the disgrace of their prank. Plainly there was nothing left for them but to abide by their arrangement and go with Plunkett and Lionel. Everybody now set up an indignant howl at their behaviour. Tristram could not help them. The angry farmers pushed him aside, and Lady Harriet and Nancy were taken by their arms by the two farmers, and walked back to where the wagon waited.