d let us, at least all that can afford it, make for Master
Sancroft's hostelrie and talk soberly over our ale. For little, I trow,
will ye work now your blood's up."

This address was received with a shout of approbation. The father of the
injured child set his broad foot on his torch, the baker chucked up his
white cap, the ragged boys yelled out, "A Robin! a Robin!" and in
less than two minutes the place was as empty as it had been before the
appearance of the scholar. Marmaduke, who, though so ignorant of books,
was acute and penetrating in all matters of action, could not help
admiring the address and dexterity of the club-bearer; and the danger
being now over, withdrew from the casement, in search of the inmates of
the house. Ascending the stairs, he found on the landing-place, near
his room, and by the embrasure of a huge casement which jutted from the
wall, Adam and his daughter. Adam was leaning against the wall, with his
arms folded, and Sibyll, hanging upon him, was uttering the softest and
most soothing words of comfort her tenderness could suggest.

"My child," said the old man, shaking his head sadly, "I shall never
again have heart for these studies,--never! A king's anger I could
brave, a priest's malice I could pity; but to find the very children,
the young race for whose sake I have made thee and myself paupers, to
find them thus--thus--" He stopped, for his voice failed him, and the
tears rolled down his cheeks.

"Come and speak comfort to my father, Master Nevile," exclaimed Sibyll;
"come and tell him that whoever is above the herd, whether knight or
scholar, must learn to despise the hootings that follow Merit. Father,
Father, they threw mud and stones at thy king as he passed through
the streets of London. Thou art not the only one whom this base world
misjudges."

"Worthy mine host!" said Marmaduke, thus appealed to, "Algates, it were
not speaking truth to tell thee that I think a gentleman of birth and
quality should walk the thoroughfares with a bundle of books under his
arm; yet as for the raptril vulgar, the hildings and cullions who
hiss one day what they applaud the next, I hold it the duty of every
Christian and well-born man to regard them as the dirt on the crossings.
Brave soldiers term it no disgrace to receive a blow from a base hind.
An' it had been knights and gentles who had insulted thee, thou mightest
have cause for shame. But a mob of lewd rascallions and squalling
infants--ba