By Englands Aid | Page 8

in London, and it would
never do if we saw the queen and we hadn't our best doublets on, for
she would think that we didn't know what was seemly down at
Hedingham."
"Well, my dears, of course if it is all settled--"
"Oh, yes, mother, it is quite all settled."
"Then it's no use my saying anything more about it, but I think your
father might have consulted me before he gave his consent to your
going on such a hazardous journey as this.
"He did want to consult you, mother. But then, you see, he wanted to
consult his books even more, and he knew very well that you would
agree with him; and you know you would too. So please don't say
anything more about it, but let Ruth run upstairs and see to our things at
once. There, you see, Master Lirriper, it is all settled. And what time do
you start to-morrow? We will be there half an hour before, anyhow."
"I shall go at seven from the bridge. Then I shall just catch the turn of
the tide and get to Bricklesey in good time."
"I never did see such boys," Mrs. Vickars said when John Lirriper had
gone on his way. "As for your father, I am surprised at him in
countenancing you. You will be running all sorts of risks. You may be
drowned on the way, or killed in a street brawl, or get mixed up in a
plot. There is no saying what may not happen. And here it is all settled
before I have even time to think about it, which is most inconsiderate of

your father."
"Oh, we shall get back again without any harm, mother. And as to
getting killed in a street brawl, Lionel and I can use our hangers as well
as most of them. Besides, nothing of that sort is going to happen to us.
Now, mother, please let Ruth go at once, and tell her to put up our puce
doublets that we had for the jousting at the castle, and our red hose and
our dark green cloth slashed trunks."
"There is plenty of time for that, Geoffrey, as you are not going until
to-morrow. Besides, I can't spare Ruth now, but she shall see about it
after dinner."
There was little sleep for the boys that night. A visit to London had
long been one of their wildest ambitions, and they could scarcely
believe that thus suddenly and without preparation it was about to take
place. Their father had some time before promised that he would some
day make request to one or other of the young Veres to allow them to
ride to London in his suite, but the present seemed to them an even
more delightful plan. There would be the pleasure of the voyage, and
moreover it would be much more lively for them to be able to see
London under the charge of John Lirriper than to be subject to the
ceremonial and restraint that would be enforced in the household of the
Veres. They were then at the appointed place a full hour before the time
named, with wallets containing their clothes, and a basket of provisions
that their mother had prepared for them. Having stowed these away in
the little cabin, they walked up and down impatiently until Master
Lirriper himself appeared.
"You are up betimes, my young masters," the boatman said. "The
church has not yet struck seven o'clock."
"We have been here ever so long, Master Lirriper. We could not sleep
much last night, and got up when it chimed five, being afraid that we
might drop off to sleep and be late."
"Well, we shall not be long before we are off. Here comes my man
Dick, and the tide is just on the turn. The sky looks bright, and the

weather promises well. I will just go round to the cottage and fetch up
my things, and then we shall be ready."
In ten minutes they pushed off from the shore. John and his man got
out long poles shod with iron, and with these set to work to punt the
barge along. Now that they were fairly on their way the boys quieted
down, and took their seats on the sacks of flour with which the boat
was laden, and watched the objects on the bank as the boat made her
way quietly along.
Halstead was the first place passed. This was the largest town near
Hedingham, and was a place of much importance in their eyes. Then
they passed Stanstead Hall and Earl's Colne on their right, Colne Wake
on their left, and Chapel Parish on their right. Then there was a long
stretch without any large villages, until they came