Here, Hob," he added, taking a cake from his apron
pocket, "divide this with thy brother."
Placing his paws upon his master's knees, the nearest turnspit took the
cake in his mouth, and proceeding towards Nob, broke it into two
pieces, and pushed the larger portion towards him.
While Mabel was admiring this display of sagacity and affection a
bustling step was heard behind her, and turning, she beheld a strange
figure in a parti-coloured gown and hose, with a fool's cap and bells on
his head, whom she immediately recognised as the cardinal's jester,
Patch. The new-comer recognised her too, stared in astonishment, and
gave a leering look at Will Sommers.
"What brings you here, gossip Patch?" cried Will Sommers. "I thought
you were in attendance upon your master, at the court at Blackfriars."
"So I have been," replied Patch, "and I am only just arrived with his
grace."
"What! is the decision pronounced?" cried Will Sommers eagerly. "Is
the queen divorced? Is the king single again? Let us hear the
sentence."
"Ay, the sentence!--the sentence!" resounded on all hands.
Stimulated by curiosity, the whole of the party rose from the table;
Simon Quanden got out of his chair; the other cooks left their joints to
scorch at the fire; the scullions suspended their work; and Hob and Nob
fixed their large inquiring black eyes upon the jester.
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