learned one of the servant maides name of the house,
as also where shee was borne and her kindred.
Upon a sonday in the afternone, when it was her turne
to attend on her maister and mistres to the garden
in Finsbury fields, to regard the children while they
sported about, this craftie mate having dulie watched
their comming forth, and seeing that they intended
to goe downe S. Laurence lane, stepped before them,
ever casting an eye back, least they should turne
some contrarie way: but their following still
fitting his owne desire, neere unto the Conduit in
Aldermanbury, he crossed the way and came unto the
maid, and kissing her sayd. Coosen Margeret, I
am verye glad to see you well, my unckle your father,
and all your friends in the Countrey are in good health
God be praised. The Maide hearing herselfe named,
and not knowing the man, modestly blushed, which hee
perceiving, held way on with her amongst her fellow
apprentices, and thus began againe. I see Coosen
you knowe mee not, and I doe not greatlie blame you,
it is so long since you came foorth of the Countrey,
but I am such a ones sonne, naming her Uncle right,
and his sonnes name, which she very well remembred,
but had not seene him in eleven yeares. Then
taking foorth a bowed groat, and an olde pennie bowed,
he gave it her as being sent from her Uncle and Aunt,
whome hee tearmed to bee his father and mother:
Withall (quoth he) I have a Gammon of bacon and a
Cheese from my Uncle your Father, which are sent to
your Maister and Mistresse, which I received of the
Carrier, because my Uncle enioyned me to deliver them,
when I must intreat your mistres, that at Whitsontide
next shee will give you leave to come downe into the
Countrey. The Maide thinking simplie all hee said
was true, and as they so farre from their parents,
are not onely glad to heare of their welfare, but
also rejoyce to see any of their kindred: so
this this poor Maid, wel knowing her Uncle had a sonne
so named as he called himself, and thinking from a
boy (as he was at her leaving the Countrey) he was
now growne such a proper handsome young man, was not
a little joyful to see him: beside, shee seemed
proud, that her kinsman was so neat a youth, and so
shee held on questioning with him about her friends:
hee soothing each matter so cunningly, as the maide
was confidently perswaded of him. In this time,
one of the children stepped to her mother and said,
Our Marget (mother) hath a fine coosen come out of
the Country, and he hath a Cheese for my Father and
you: whereon shee looking backe, said: Maide,
is that your kinsman? yes forsooth mistresse quoth
shee, my Uncles sonne, whome I left a little one when
I came forth of the countrey.