portant towns was any great stock kept by
tradesmen. The chief trading in country places was done by these
itinerant pedlars, whose visits were therefore a source of great
interest to the family, and especially to the ladies. They served
frequently as messengers and carriers in a small way, and were
particularly valuable between the four seasons, when alone anything
worth notice could be expected in the shops--Easter, Whitsuntide, All
Saints, and Christmas. There were also the spring and autumn fairs, but
these were small matters except in the great towns. As it was now the
beginning of September, Godfrey knew that a travelling pedlar would be a
most acceptable visitor to his mother and wife.

The porter, instructed by his young master, let in the pedlars.

"What have ye?" demanded Godfrey.

"I have mercery, sweet Sir, and he hath jewelling," answered the taller
of the pedlars, a middle-aged man with a bronzed face, which told of
much outdoor exposure.

"Why, well said! Come ye both into hall, and when ye have eaten and
drunk, then shall ye open your packs."

Godfrey led the pedlars into the hall, and shouted for the sewer, whom
he bade to set a table, and serve the wearied men with food.

An hour later, Amphillis, who was sewing in her mistress's chamber, rose
at the entrance of Lady Foljambe.

"Here, Dame, be pedlars bearing mercery and jewelling," said she.
"Would your Grace anything that I can pick forth to your content?"

"Ay, I lack a few matters, Avena," said the Countess, in her usual
bitter-sweet style. "A two-three yards of freedom, an' it like thee;
and a boxful of air, so he have it fresh; and if thou see a silver chain
of daughter's duty, or a bit of son's love set in gold, I could serve me
of those if I had them. They'll not come over sea, methinketh."

"Would it like your Grace," asked Lady Foljambe, rather stiffly, "to
speak in plain language, and say what you would have?"

"`Plain language!'" repeated the Countess. "In very deed, but I
reckoned I had given thee some of that afore now! I would have my
liberty, Avena Foljambe; and I would have my rights; and I would have of
mine own childre such honour as 'longeth to a mother by reason and God's
law. Is that plain enough? or wouldst have it rougher hewn?"

"Dame, your Grace wist well that such matter as this cometh not of
pedlars' packs."

"Ay!" said the Countess, with a long, weary sigh. "I do, so! Nor out
of men's hearts, belik