In King's Houses; A Romance Of The Days Of Queen Anne

in Kings' Houses A Romance of the Days of Queen Anne -- CHAPTER I. -- NAY, but tell me, granny Think you the King will ride to-day Dame Dorothy laughed as she drew out the shining flax, and then let it coil, a fine silver thread, around the spindle. Robin watched the process as he sat on the floor at her feet, and in the interest of the moment he almost forgot the unanswered question. Yet the sight was by no means unfamiliar. It seemed to the child that Dame Dorothy was always spinning, spinning. But presently he bethought him. You do not tell me, he cried, impatiently. Will the King ride to-day The dame dropped the thread, and drew the child closer to her side. The King Truly, I know not. How should I He may ride, if it pleases him, and then again he may not. If it be damp, or the east wind blows, he may choose to stay by the fire, and smoke his Dutch pipe. Rheumatism is no respecter of persons, my lad. But you should know all about it, granny, - you who have lived in kings houses. Who should know better than you if the King be likely to ride or no Dame Dorothy laughed again, rumpling the childs dark curls, and then smoothing them down with a tender touch. She gave him a swift kiss, and resumed her spinning before answering this last remark. In kings houses Faith, I see it behooves one to be careful of speech with such sharp ears about. But, laddie, I know naught of the King. He is not at the castle now. Tis said he likes not Windsor since Queen Mary died and God knows he liked it none too well before. The child sighed. Who is at the castle then, if it be not the King For when we carried the eggs to market this morning, Betty Macthorne marvelled much at the many flags a-flying, and Isaw great clouds of smoke coming from the big chimneys of the kitchen and scullery. No doubt, no doubt, my Robin. But there are mouths enow to be filled at the castle, - mouths of great folk and small folk, - whether the King be there or no. It is not he does all the eating. Then a sudden thought striking her, she turned to the child so sharply that her thread broke. . I But why do you ask about the King she said. I What matters it to you whether he ride or no The King knows naught of you, nor you of him. He knows naught of me, answered the boy, slowly twirling a shred of flax between his fingers. But last even-song I heard the priest - The childs voice died away, and he sat gazing thoughtfully into the fire. Well, said the grandmother, after a pause, c what about the priest cc Granny, was the irrelevant answer, I tell me about the Kings daughter. The Kings daughter The King has no daughter to my knowledge. But what about the . i priest .. . . ... Why, at even-song, last night, he said the King . had a crown of pure gold on his head. And one other day he spake of the Kings daughter. He said she was all glorious, and that her kirtle was of wrought gold. I never saw a king, nor a princess, he went on, plaintively. cc But you, granny, you have lived in kings houses Dame Dorothy dropped her hands despairingly. cc Now grant me patience she cried. cc Why, child, the priest spake not of William 111. He spake of God, the King of all the earth, - and of 14 IN KmS HOUSES. his daughter, the Church. It is she who has put on glorious apparel...