"Well, he was in the blacksmith's shop, and to get out of the way of the blacks, which were flying all over, he had slipped behind the door; when who should come up but this Jackson, on Mrs Jane's horse, that had cast a shoe. He could not see Robin, he being behind the door; I dare be bound if he had, he would not have been so free in his talk. You know, madam, what a horrid Roundhead the blacksmith is; Robin saith he wishes in his heart he never had to go near him. Well, as this fellow holds the horse's foot (and Robin says he did it the most awkward he ever saw), he asks the smith what news. `Oh,' saith he, `none that I know of, since the good news of the beating of the rogues of Scots.' `What,' saith Jackson, `are none of the English taken that were joined with the Scots?' Then, madam, the smith said, saving your presence, for really it makes me feel quite creepy to repeat such shocking words, `I don't hear,' quoth he, `that that rogue Charles Stuart is taken, but some of the others are.' Oh, madam, to speak so dreadfully of His Sacred Majesty!" Mrs Millicent's eyes went up till more white than iris was visible. "Very shocking, truly," said Mrs Lane. "Well, what further?" "And then, madam, that Jackson said--Robin heard him!--`If that rogue were taken,' quoth he, `he deserves to be hanged more than all the rest, for bringing in the Scots.' Oh, dear, dear! that I should live to tell you, madam, that a servant of my good master could let such words come out of his lips! Then quoth the smith, `You speak like an honest man.' And so Jackson up on the horse and rode away." "Well, it doth but confirm me in my view that the man is a most unsuitable guard for you, Jane. I shall speak to your brother about making a change." "I don't think Jackson is a Roundhead," said Mrs Jane quietly, rearranging some laces in a little box. "Dear heart, Mrs Jane! but what could the creature have said worse, if he had been Oliver Cromwell himself?" "Well, and I do not think he is Oliver Cromwell either," replied Mrs Jane, laughing. "And as to his not knowing his business, madam," she added, turning to her mother, "I pray you remember how exceeding good a character my Lord Wilmot gave him." "My dear Jane! A good character is all very well, but I do want some capability in my servants as well as character. You do not choose your shoemaker because he is sober and steady, but because he makes good shoes." "Under your correction, madam, he would not make good shoes long if he were neither steady nor sober. Howbeit, I pray you, speak to my brother: methinks you shall find him unready to discharge Jackson for no better reason than that he cannot take the collar off an horse." "But the words, Mrs Jane! Those awful words!" "Very like they grew in Robin's brain," calmly answered Mrs Jane, turning the lock of her trunk. "He is a bit jealous of Jackson, or I mistake."