Come Rack! Come Rope! | Page 8

this evening, Mr. Audrey
himself, a smallish, high-shouldered man, ruddy-faced, with bright blue
eyes like his son's, and no hair upon his face (for this was the way of
old men then, in the country, at least); and Mr. Anthony Babington, a
young man scarcely a year older than Robin himself, of a brown

complexion and a high look in his face, but a little pale, too, with study,
for he was learned beyond his years and read all the books that he could
lay hand to. It was said even that his own verses, and a prose-lament he
had written upon the Death of a Hound, were read with pleasure in
London by the lords and gentlemen. It was as long ago as '71, that his
verses had first become known, when he was still serving in the school
of good manners as page in my Lord Shrewsbury's household. They
were considered remarkable for so young a boy. So it was to this
company that Robin came, walking up between the tables after he had
washed his hands at the lavatory that stood by the screens.
"You are late, lad," said his father.
"I was over to Padley, sir.... Good-day, Anthony."
Then silence fell again, for it was the custom in good houses to keep
silence, or very nearly, at dinner and supper. At times music would
play, if there was music to be had; or a scholar would read from a book
for awhile at the beginning, from the holy gospels in devout households,
or from some other grave book. But if there were neither music nor
reading, all would hold their tongues.
Robin was hungry from his riding and the keen air; and he ate well.
First he stayed his appetite a little with a hunch of cheat-bread, and a
glass of pomage, while the servant was bringing him his entry of eggs
cooked with parsley. Then he ate this; and next came half a wild-duck
cooked with sage and sweet potatoes; and last of all a florentine which
he ate with a cup of Canarian. He ate heartily and quickly, while the
two waited for him and nibbled at marchpane. Then, when the doors
were flung open and the troop of servants came in to their supper, Mr.
Audrey blessed himself, and for them, too; and they went out by a door
behind into the wainscoted parlour, where the new stove from London
stood, and where the conserves and muscadel awaited them. For this, or
like it, had been the procedure in Matstead hall ever since Robin could
remember, when first he had come from the women to eat his food with
the men.
"And how were all at Booth's Edge?" asked Mr. Audrey, when all had

pulled off their boots in country fashion, and were sitting each with his
glass beside him. (Through the door behind came the clamour of the
farm-men and the keepers of the chase and the servants, over their
food.)
"I saw Marjorie only, sir," said the boy. "Mr. Manners was in Derby,
and Mrs. Manners had a megrim."
"Mrs. Manners is ageing swifter than her husband," observed Anthony.
There seemed a constraint upon the company this evening. Robin spoke
of his ride, of things which he had seen upon it, of a wood that should
be thinned next year; and Anthony made a quip or two such as he was
accustomed to make; but the master sat silent for the most part,
speaking to the lads once or twice for civility's sake, but no more. And
presently silences began to fall, that were very unusual things in Mr.
Anthony's company, for he had a quick and a gay wit, and talked
enough for five. Robin knew very well what was the matter; it was
what lay upon his own heart as heavy as lead; but he was sorry that the
signs of it should be so evident, and wondered what he should say to
his friend Anthony when the time came for telling; since Anthony was
as ardent for the old Faith as any in the land. It was a bitter time, this,
for the old families that served God as their fathers had, and desired to
serve their prince too; for, now and again, the rumour would go abroad
that another house had fallen, and another name gone from the old roll.
And what would Anthony Babington say, thought the lad, when he
heard that Mr. Audrey, who had been so hot and persevered so long,
must be added to these?
And then, on a sudden, Anthony himself opened on a matter that was at
least cognate.
"I was hearing to-day from Mr. Thomas FitzHerbert that his uncle
would be let out again of the Fleet soon to collect his fines."