Where's my back and breast-piece? Have you a cup of
ale, while I rub it up?"
"Now, Hodge, you be not going to put on that iron thing again, when
you be come back safe and sound from those bloody wars?" entreated
his mother.
"Ho, ho! mother, would you have me desert? No, no! I must to my
colours again, or Sir George and my lady might make it too hot to
hold you here. Hollo, young one, Stead Kenton, eh? Didst find thy
brother? No, I'll be bound. The Roundhead rascals have all the
luck."
"I found something else," said Steadfast, and he proceeded to tell
about the child while Dame Fitter stood by with many a pitying "Dear
heart!" and "Good lack!"
Hodge knew Serjeant Gaythorn, and knew that the poor man's wife had
been shot dead in the flight from Naseby; but he demurred at the
notion of encumbering himself with the child when he went into the
town. He suspected that he should have much ado to get in himself,
and if he could not find her father, what could he do with her?
Moreover, he much doubted whether the serjeant was alive.
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