Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 2 — page 80: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

212 Jack explained. “T be a tinker by trade,” said he; “John Bunyan, of Elstow in Bedford. Belike I am known to Mistress Prynne, who serves her ladyship. This lad is a beginner, assisting me, so to speak, “Three days ago,” continued Jack, hav- ing compromised the truth about me, “ it was our blessed fortune to serve in a small way the ladies of this house. After- ward, Mistress Prynne having mind of me and my trade, I did promise to pay my re- spects and see what leaky vessels might be in need of repair.” Ah, Jack! That last was skilful, even if thy conscience did squirm. The old man looked friendlier on the instant. No doubt he knew only too well of that affair in which his late master’s daughter was so imperiled. But he still observed caution, disliking our dress I could see. He stood in thought a while, eying us dubiously but not unkindly; then said abruptly: “You will please.” 3 He closed the door in our faces and went off to confer, I suppose, with his mistress. When the door was opened again it was by Ruth Prynne. In the absence of her mis- tress she was less diffident. She greeted us both with a merry smile, and gave Jack Bunyan her two hands, as if they were old friends re-united. “A fair day to thee, Master Bunyan— and thou, Master—”’ ‘“‘ Brooke,” I supplied; ‘‘ Hallam Brooke —your servant, Mistress Prynne.”’ ‘“ Brooke,” she repeated; ‘ Hallam Brooke’; as if making a careful note of the name for some purpose. remain where you are, ‘Indeed I am glad to see thee, Master: Bunyan,” she resumed, averting her eyes from me rather quickly, “ though not half so glad as when ye did appear to succor my mistress in her grievous plight. Not,” she amended, turning again to me, “ that we were without a champion, and my lady Joyce is indeed grateful to thee, Master— ‘Hallam Brooke.” “Then I am more than rewarded for a broken head,” I said; and it.-was no mere pretty speech. THE ARGOSY. “But marry, Jack Bunyan! What ha’ delayed thee?” she went with a light rail- lery aimed at Hobgoblin. ‘“ Taking thy word as a thinker who was wont to be prompt in other days, I did set aside two jam-pans, a girdle with a broken hoop, and a kettle burned through; and the use of these we ha’ been denied these two days, © for that each hour we expected ye would require them to mend.” ‘‘ Mistress Ruth,” said Jack simply, “ to tell truth to thee, before whom I can in- vent no deceit—I ha’ been in gaol.” “In: gaol!” she cried. The Puritan maid’s mouth-corners twitched, and she was hard put to it, as was I, to keep from laughing outright. ‘‘ What hast done now?” ““T was profane,” said Bunyan, his head bowed in real remorse before his angel. The angel’s mouth twitched again and she flashed at me an understanding look, quick with suppressed mirth. “* Ah, Jack, Jack! Wilt ever learn to curb that tongue? Thou grievest me, Master Bunyan. Even while my heart thanked thee on the village green thy words were like hot brands upon my ears.”’ “Then, by the Archangel Gabriel, I will never swear again!” cried Hobgoblin. “ By the two gods of London Town, great Gog and Magog, I swear it!” ‘‘ Swear not lest ye swear, Master John,” said Ruth. I fetch the pans.” Leaving the door open, but us inside it, she ran back intosthe house. In a few mo- ments she returned laden -with jam-pans, a girdle, and a kettle. These the tinker- trooper took from her and made a serious pretense of examining. “Eh, but they are in sad case,” said he, shaking his head. And squatting down upon the ground he proceeded to study them one by one. As his purpose was clearly (to me) to prolong the interview°as much as possible, I, who had some hope to catch another glimpse of my own angel, squatted down beside him. Taking up the kettle, I ex- amined the hole in it with a grave prentice eye. ‘“Didst bring the acid, boy?” Bunyan sternly asked me. comicloool ‘ But prithee—a moment while C@