Meanwhile avoid all quarrelling With the
knights and their followers till we know the innocent from the
guilty. But wherefore tarries this knave Smith? He is ready enough
in tumults when his presence is not wanted, and lags he now when
his presence may serve the Fair City? What ails him, doth any one
know? Hath he been upon the frolic last Fastern's Even?"
"Rather he is sick or sullen, Master Bailie," said one of the city's
mairs, or sergeants; "for though he is within door, as his knaves
report, yet he will neither answer to us nor admit us."
"So please your worship, Master Bailie," said Simon Glover, "I will
go myself to fetch Henry Smith. I have some little difference to
make up with him. And blessed be Our Lady, who hath so ordered it
that I find him alive, as a quarter of an hour since I could never
have expected!"
"Bring the stout smith to the council house," said the bailie, as
a mounted yeoman pressed through the crowd and whispered in his ear,
"Here is a good fellow who says the Knight of Kinfauns is entering
the port."
Such was the occasion of Simon Glover presenting himself at the
house of Henry Gow at the period already noticed.
Unrestrained by the considerations of doubt and hesitation which
influenced others, he repaired to the parlour; and having overheard
the bustling of Dame Shoolbred, he took the privilege of intimacy
to ascend to the bedroom, and, with the slight apology of "I
crave your pardon, good neighbour," he opened the door and entered
the apartment, where a singular and unexpected sight awaited him.
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