n especial
unattended, at this hour of the night. If it please you to accept of my
poor provision, I have here, bound on the ass, two women's cloaks and
hoods of the common sort, such as shall better comport with the selling
of pots than silken raiment; and if I may be suffered to roll up the
cloaks you bear in like manner, you can shift you back to them when meet
is so to do."

"Verily, 'tis passing strange that had never come to my mind!" replied
Mrs Collenwood. "Mr Hall, we owe you more thanks than we may lightly
speak."

They changed their cloaks, rolling up those they took off, and tying
them securely on the donkey, covered by a piece of canvas, with which
Roger was provided. The hoods were changed in like manner. The donkey
was driven into the field in charge of Tom Hartley, who pulled his
forelock to his ladies; and the trio sat down to await daylight.

"And if it like you, my mistresses," added Roger, "if it should please
Mistress Collenwood to speak to me by the name of Hodge, and Mistress
Pandora by that of father or uncle, methinks we should do well."

"Nay, Mr Hall; but I will call you brother," said Pandora, smiling;
"for that is what you truly are, both in the Gospel and in descent from
Adam."

In perfect quiet they passed the five hours which elapsed ere the sun
rose. As soon as ever the light began to break, Roger led forth the
donkey; Tom trudging behind with a stick, and the ladies walked
alongside.

Rather to their surprise, Roger took his stand openly in the market
place of Goudhurst, where he drove a brisk trade with his pots and pans;
Mrs Collenwood taking up the business as if she had been to the manner
born, and much to Pandora's admiration.

"Brown pitchers, my mistress? The best have we, be sure. Twopence the
dozen, these; but we have cheaper if your honour wish them."

Another time it was, "What lack you, sweet sir? Chafing-dishes,
shaving-basins, bowls, goblets, salts? All good and sound--none of your
trumpery rubbish!"

And Roger and Tom both lifted up sonorous voices in the cry of--

"Pots and pans! Pots and pa-ans! Chargers, dishes, plates, cups,
bowls, por-ring-ers! Come buy, come buy, come buy!"

The articles were good--Roger had seen to that--and they went off
quickly. Ladies, country housewives, farmers, substantial yeomen, with
their wives and daughters, came up to buy, until the donkey's load was
considerably diminished. At length a priest appeared as a cu