'Wal, Davy, my lad,' the old man said at last, with a sort of pompous mildness; 'I winna blame yo for 't, but yo interrupted me sadly wi yur whistlin. I ha been occupied this day wi business o' _graat_ importance. His Majesty King Charles has been wi me since seven o'clock this mornin. And for th' fust time I ha been gettin reet to th' _bottom_ o' things wi him. I ha been _probin_ him, Davy--probin him. He couldno riddle through wi lees; I kept him to 't, as yo mun keep a horse to a jump--straight an tight. I had it aw out about Strafford, an t'Five Members, an thoose dirty dealins wi th' Irish devils! Yo should ha yerd it, Davy--yo should, I'll uphowd yo!'
And placing his stick between his knees, the old man leant his hands upon it, with a meditative and judicial air. The boy stood looking down at him, a broad smile lighting up the dark and vivid face. Old 'Lias supplied him with a perpetual 'spectacle' which never palled.
'Coe him back, 'Lias, he's soomwheer about. Yo need nobbut coe him, an he'll coom.'
'Lias looked fatuously pleased. He lifted his head and affected to scan the path along which he had just travelled.
'Aye, I daur say he's not far.--Yor Majesty!'
And 'Lias laid his head on one side and listened. In a few seconds a cunning smile stole over his lips.
'Wal, Davy, yo're in luck. He's noan so onwillin, we'st ha him here in a twinklin. Yo may coe him mony things, but yo conno coe him proud. Noa, as I've fund him, Charles Stuart has no soart o' pride about him. Aye, theer yo are! Sir, your Majesty's obleeged an humble servant!'
And, raising his hand to his hat, the old man took it off and swept it round with a courtly deliberation. Then replacing it, he sat with his face raised, as though to one standing near, his whole attitude full of a careful and pompous dignity.
'Now then, yor Majesty,' said 'Lias grimly,' I'st ha to put that question to yo, yance moor, yo wor noan so well pleased wi this mornin. But yo shouldno be soa tender, mon! Th' truth can do yo _noa_ harm, wheer yo are, an I'm nobbut askin for _informashun's_ sake. Soa out wi it; I'st not use it agen yo. _That--wee--bit--o'--damned--paper,_--man, what sent poor Strafford to his eend--yo mind it?--aye, _'at yo do!_ Well, now'--and the old man's tone grew gently seductive--_'explain yursel._ We'n had _their_ tale,' and he pointed away to some imaginary accusers. 'But yo mun trust an Englishman's sense o' fair play. Say your say. We 'st gie yo a varra patient hearin.'