Will You Love Me in September

The host's wife came running into the parlor. "They've come," she announced. "I doubt the likes of you will want to be in the same room with 'em. I'll keep them out, though, till you've finished your port, my lord.”

I liked the way Lance stood up. "No," he said, "let them come m. I can take the port to my bedroom. Poor things, it's no joy traveling in those coaches. Boneshakers, I've heard them called. Coyne on, Clarissa, let's leave them to their food.”

"Well, thank'ee, sir," said the woman. "That's real kind and thoughtful of you.”

I smiled at Lance, thinking that for all his finery and dandified ways he was a true gentleman.

As we walked out of the inn parlor there were more sounds of arrival from without, and before we could ascend the stairs to our room three men came hurrying in. They were fashionably dressed, and one of them, smelling the food which was about to be taken into the dining room for the stage-coach passengers, cried, "Gad! The smell is appetizing. What is it, woman?”

The innkeeper's wife, with that unfailing instinct for recognizing the gentry, bobbed a curtsy and said, '"Tis the food we be about to serve to the stage which are just come in, my lord.”

"Then serve us with some of this goodly smelling fare before you deal with the stage.”

The landlord came out rubbing his hands obsequiously but showing that he was uneasy.

"My good lords," he said, "we have only enough for the coach. 'Tis bespoke, you see.

The coach is regular and we have a duty to be ready for it. There be the end of the hot food we have. But I have some fine cheese and fresh-baked barley bread, with good wine-”

"Fine cheese! My good man, we want the hot meal. Let the coach crowd share out what is left of the hot food when we have had our fill. Or let them take the fine cheese.

I doubt not that it will satisfy them. Serve the hot dishes to us-and without delay.

We have ridden far and are hungry.”

One of the women from the coach had heard what was going on. She was a large red-faced woman with a determined jaw; she was clearly one who was accustomed to having her own way.

"Oh, no, you don't," she cried. "That food is for us. It's bespoke for the coach.

So don't try none of your fancy tricks, my lord High-and-Mighty, for me and my party are not having that.”

The leader of the new arrivals held the eyeglass which had been dangling from his elegant jacket and surveyed the woman with astonishment.

"Landlord," he said, "this creature offends me. Have her removed.”

The woman put her hands on her hips and regarded him steadily. "Watch yourself, me little cock sparrer," she shouted, "or it won't be me what gets put out.”

"The creature would be insolent.”

He took a few steps forward, and she came to meet him. He put up a hand as though to brush her aside, but it was a blow which sent her reeling against the stairs.

Lance stepped forward then.

"This is no way to treat a lady, sir," he said.

The man stared at him and seemed to be taken aback by coming face to face with one who, on the surface, appeared to be of his own kind.

"A lady, did you say, sir?" said the man with a sneer.

"I did indeed. I have listened to this dispute. The hot food has been prepared for the coach, which was due at this time. Unexpected guests cannot expect to take that which has been made ready for others.”

"Can they not, sir? And may I ask if you are prepared to dine off bread and cheese?”

"I am not, having just dined off the most excellent beef. But I came in time. I took nothing that was not my due.”

"You are interfering in what does not concern you.”

"On the contrary, I am deeply concerned and I will not stand by and see these good people deprived of what is theirs by right.”

"You will not, eh?”

Lance drew his sword and stood there smiling. I was terrified for him. There were three of them against one. But I was proud of him all the same.

"Damme," said one of the men, "if it is not Clavering.”

"Ah," retorted Lance, "so it is you, Timperly. I am surprised to see you in such company.”

"Come, Clavering, what is it to you? These are a mob of coach people.”

"They deserve their rights whether they travel by stage or private carriage. I say they shall have their dinner, and you would eat very well I am sure-for the Plump Partridge is an excellent inn-on hot bread and fine cheese. The port is good too.

You'll enjoy it, Timperly.”

"Look here, Clavering," said the first man, "what is it to you? Why bother yourself with this?”

"No matter," replied Lance. "Just let it stand that I do. I'll challenge any one of you to single combat. Let's fight it out.”

"Taken," said the first man.

"Careful," added Timperly. "You know Covering's reputation with a sword.”

"Afraid?" asked Lance. "Come on. Which one of you? We'll fight it out for hot beef with dumplings against bread and cheese.”

"I'll take you on," was the answer. It was the first man, who had drawn his sword.