o accost them as though by
chance, and with a familiar and ordinary greeting; all, however, being
done expressly so that he might the better work his ends.

To be brief, when the year of mourning for his father was drawing to an
end, he resolved, on laying aside his weeds, to cut a good figure and
do credit to his forefathers; and of this he spoke to his mother, who
approved his design; for having but two children, himself and a daughter
already well and honourably mated, she greatly desired to see him
suitably married. And, indeed, like the worthy lady that she was, she
still further incited his heart in the direction of virtue by countless
instances of other young men of his own age who were making their way
unaided, or at least were showing themselves worthy of those from whom
they sprang.

It now only remained to determine where they should equip themselves,
and the mother said--

"I am of opinion, James, that we should go to our friend Master
Peter,"--that is, to the father of Frances--"for, knowing us, he will
not cheat us."

His mother was indeed tickling him where he itched; however, he held
firm and replied--

"We will go where we may find the cheapest and the best. Still," he
added, "for the sake of his friendship with my departed father, I am
willing that we should visit him first."

Matters being thus contrived, the mother and son went one morning to see
Master Peter, who made them welcome; for traders, as you know, are never
backward in this respect. They caused great quantities of all kinds of
silk to be displayed before them, and chose what they required; but they
could not agree upon the price, for James haggled on purpose, because
his sweetheart's mother did not come in. So at last they went away
without buying anything, in order to see what could be done elsewhere.
But James could find nothing so handsome as in his sweetheart's house,
and thither after a while they returned.

The mercer's wife was now there and gave them the best reception
imaginable, and after such bargaining as is common in shops of the kind,
during which Peter's wife proved even harder than her husband, James
said to her--

"In sooth, madam, you are very hard to deal with. I can see how it is;
we have lost my father, and our friends recognise us no longer."

So saying, he pretended to weep and wipe his eyes at thought of his
departed father; but 'twas done in order to further his design.

The good widow, his mother, too