Whilst pondering on this
strange occurrence, Robin came in. His master taxed him with dishonesty.
After much ado, he confessed that his mistress had many times of late
borrowed the mare for a night, always returning before the good man
awoke. Giles was too full of trouble to rate Robin as he deserved,
contenting himself with many admonitions and instructions how to act in
the next emergency.
Not many nights after, as Robin was late in the stable, his mistress
came with the usual request, and her magic bridle in her hand.
"Now, good Robin, the cream is in the bowl, and the beer behind the
spigot, and my good man is in bed."
"Whither away, mistress?" said Robin, diligently whisping down and
soothing the mare, who trembled from head to foot when she heard her
mistress's voice.
"For a journey, Robin. I have business at Colne; but I will not fail to
come back again before sunrise."
"Ay, mistress, this is always your tale; but measter catched her in a
woundy heat last time, and will not let her go."
"But, Robin, she shall be in the stable and dry two hours before my old
churl gets up."
"But measter says she maunna go.
Pages:
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592
593
594
595
596
597
598
599
600
601
602
603
604
605