the domestic spirit that I thought a
steaming kettle on the little stove would give me a tabby-like comfort.

"Why not a kettle on the hob?" said I gaily to Gabord.

"Why not a cat before the fire, a bit of bacon on the coals, a pot of
mulled wine at the elbow, and a wench's chin to chuck, baby-bumbo!" said
Gabord in a mocking voice, which made the soldiers laugh at my expense.
"And a spinet, too, for ducky dear, Scarrat; a piece of cake and cherry
wine, and a soul to go to heaven! Tonnerre!" he added, with an oath,
"these English prisoners want the world for a sou, and they'd owe that
till judgment day."

I saw at once the meaning of his words, for he turned his back on me
and went to the window and tried the stanchions, seeming much concerned
about them, and muttering to himself. I drew out from my pocket two
gold pieces, and gave them to the soldier Scarrat; and the other soldier
coming in just then, I did the same with him; and I could see that their
respect for me mightily increased. Gabord, still muttering, turned to us
again, and began to berate the soldiers for their laziness. As the two
men turned to go, Scarrat, evidently feeling that something was due for
the gold I had given, said to Gabord, "Shall m'sieu' have the kettle?"

Gabord took a step forward as if to strike the soldier, but stopped
short, blew out his cheeks, and laughed in a loud, mocking way.

"Ay, ay, fetch m'sieu' the kettle, and fetch him flax to spin, and a
pinch of snuff, and hot flannels for his stomach, and every night at
sundown you shall feed him with pretty biscuits soaked in milk. Ah, go
to the devil and fetch the kettle, fool!" he added roughly again, and
quickly the place was empty save for him and myself.

"Those two fellows are to sit outside your cage door, dickey-bird, and
two are to march beneath your window yonder, so you shall not lack care
if you seek to go abroad. Those are the new orders."

"And you, Gabord," said I, "are you not to be my jailer?" I said it
sorrowfully, for I had a genuine feeling for him, and I could not keep
that from my voice.

When I had spoken so feelingly, he stood for a moment, flushing and
puffing, as if confused by the compliment in the tone, and then he
answered, "I'm to keep you safe till word comes from the King what's to
be done with you."

Then he suddenly became surly again, standing with legs apart and keys
dangling; for Scarrat entered with the kettle, and put it on the stove.
"Y