ot to be compared to you, pretty
Amice," said Cutbeard, who was a red-nosed, red-faced fellow, with a
twinkling merry eye.

"Nay, I meant not that," replied Amice, retreating.

"Excuse my getting up to receive you, fair mistress," cried Simon
Quanden, who seemed fixed to his chair; "I have been bustling about
all day, and am sore fatigued--sore fatigued. But will you not take
something? A sugared cate, and a glass of hypocras jelly, or a slice of
capon? Go to the damsel, dame, and prevail on her to eat."

"That will I," replied Deborah. "What shall it be, sweetheart? We have a
well-stored larder here. You have only to ask and have."

"I thank you, but I am in want of nothing," replied Mabel.

"Nay, that is against all rule, sweetheart," said Deborah; "no one enters
the king's kitchen without tasting his royal cheer."

"I am sorry I must prove an exception, then," returned Mabel, smiling;
"for I have no appetite."

"Well, well, I will not force you to eat against your will," replied the
good dame "But a cup of wine will do you good after your walk."

"I will wait upon her," said the Duke of Shoreditch.' who vied with
Paddington and Nick Clamp in attention to the damsel.

"Let me pray you to cast your eyes upon these two dogs, fair Mabel,"
said Will Sommers, pointing to the two turn-spits, "they are special
favourites of the king's highness. They are much attached to the cook,
their master; but their chief love is towards each other, and nothing
can keep them apart."

"Will Sommers speaks the truth," rejoined Simon Quanden. "Hob and Nob,
for so they are named, are fast friends. When Hob gets into the box to
turn the spit, Nob will watch beside it till his brother is tired, and
then he will take his place. They always eat out of the same platter,
and drink out of the same cup. I once separated them for a few hours to
see what would happen, but they howled so piteously, that I was forced
to bring them together again. It would have done your heart good to
witness their meeting, and to see how they leaped and rolled with
delight. Here, Hob," he added, taking a cake from his apron pocket,
"divide this with thy brother."

Placing his paws upon his master's knees, the nearest turnspit took the
cake in his mouth, and proceeding towards Nob, broke it into two pieces,
and pushed the larger portion towards him.

While Mabel was admiring this display of sagacity and affection a
bustling step was heard behind her, and tu