“I pray ye, ladies, seem not to observe his humours, nor show surprise when his memory doth lapse — it will grieve you to note how it doth stick at every trifle.”
Meantime Lord St.
John was saying in Tom’s ear —
“Please you, sir, keep diligently in mind his majesty’s desire. Remember all thou canst — seem to remember all else. Let them not perceive that thou art much changed from thy wont, for thou knowest how tenderly thy old play-fellows bear thee in their hearts and how ’twould grieve them. Art willing, sir, that I remain? — and thine uncle?”
Tom signified assent with a gesture and a murmured word, for he was already learning, and in his simple heart was resolved to acquit himself as best he might, according to the King’s