ng--

Joscelyn: It is of no consequence. You raise expectations which you do
not fulfill. But it is not of the least consequence.

Martin: Dear Mistress Joscelyn, my only desire is to please you. We
will not conclude on a kiss. You shall fulfill your own expectations.

Joscelyn: Mine?--I have no expectations whatever.

Martin: But I have disappointed you. What shall I do with my
sweetheart? Shall she be whipped for her theft? Shall she be shut in a
dungeon? Shall she be thrown before elephants? Choose your conclusion.

Joan: But, Master Pippin!--why must the poor sweetheart be punished? I
am sure Joscelyn never wished her to be punished. There are other
conclusions.

Martin: Dunderhead that I am, I can't think of any! What, Mistress
Joscelyn, was the conclusion you expected?

Joscelyn: I tell you, I expected none!

Joan: Why, Master Pippin! I should have fancied that, seeing the dear
sweetheart had hung the veil over her face, she might--

Martin: Yes?

Joan: Be expected--

Martin: Yes!

Joan: To be about to be--

Joscelyn: I am sick to death of this silly sweetheart. And since our
mistress appears to be listening with both her ears, it would be more
to the point to begin whatever story you propose to relate to-night,
and be done with it.

Martin: You are always right. Therefore add your ears to hers, while I
tell you the tale of Open Winkins.

OPEN WINKINS

There were once, dear maidens, five lords in the east of Sussex, who
owned between them a single Burgh; for they were brothers. Their names
were Lionel and Hugh and Heriot and Ambrose and Hobb. Lionel was ten
years of age and Hobb was twenty-two, there being exactly three years
all but a month between the birthdays of the brothers. And Lionel had a
merry spirit, and Hugh great courage and daring, and Heriot had beauty
past any man's share, and Ambrose had a wise mind; but Hobb had nothing
at all for the world's praise, for he only had a loving heart, which he
spent upon his brothers and his garden. And since love begets love,
they all loved him dearly, and leaned heavily on his affection, though
neither they nor any man looked up to him because he was a lord.
Although he was the eldest, and in his quiet way administered the
affairs of the Burgh and of the people of Alfriston under the Burgh, it
was Ambrose who was always thinking of new schemes for improvement, and
Heriot who undertook the festivities. As for the younger boys, they
kept the