. "Take heed to
thy work else thou wilt not excel with the needle. Marry, I marvel that
thou dost accomplish anything with such unskilful fingers. Knowest thou
not that the Queen's Majesty did fashion a shirt of cambric for her
brother when she was but six years old? I trow that that is more than
thou couldst do now; and thou art more than double that age."

"I crave thy forbearance, my sweet mother," pleaded Francis. "My fancy
dwells not upon my task, but the rather do I wonder in what manner I may
be of service to my father. Dost thou know, my mother?"

"I could make a shrewd hazard as to its nature, Francis. Content thee,
child. Thou wilt soon know all." A look of anxiety crossed the lady's
face as she spoke, which the girl was quick to note.

"Thou art troubled, my mother. Prithee tell me the cause."

"Nay, girl. Thy father will open up the matter to thy ears when he deems
it best. Until then neither thou nor I may speak of it. 'Tis a woman's
lot to obey, and never to question the decree of either father or
husband."

"But why?" asked the maiden. "Have we not minds with which to reason?
Can we not think as well as men? Wherefore then should we yield blind
unreasoning obedience when mind and soul are as noble as theirs? Methinks
that women's judgments are as wise as men's."

"Child, child," exclaimed the lady startled by the girl's vehemence.
"Thou hast too much of thy sire in thee for a girl. I fear such spirit.
Study lowliness, for a woman should be meek. Stifle whatever of
questioning may come into thy heart, and render implicit obedience to thy
father."

"That I will do, mother. Have I not ever reverenced him? 'Tis pleasure to
obey his will. The more because I have so much of him in me. 'Twas he who
taught me how to string a bow, and 'twas he who guided my maiden hand and
eye until had I a brother he could not excel in hunting or hawking."

"I know, my daughter, yet my heart misgives me because of these very
things. Hadst thou been a boy all this would not come amiss. But thou art
a girl, and full of the weaknesses of women despite thy skill in men's
sports. Nature, howsoe'er disguised, will soon or late assert herself.
Thou art a woman, therefore again I say, steep thy soul in humility. I
fear that haughtiness in thee which thy father doth abet. Methinks it
bodes but ill both to thee and to him. But this give ear to: in all
things be submissive to thy father. Heedst thou, Francis?"

"Yes, my mother."