Sort of expedition. However, the Lord Hertford set his mind at rest with a

Word or two.

A secretary of state presented an order of the council appointing the morrow

at eleven for the reception of the foreign ambassadors, and desired the king's

Assent.

Tom turned an inquiring look toward Hertford, who whispered:

'Your majesty will signify consent. They come to testify their royal masters'

Sense of the heavy calamity which hath visited your grace and the realm of

England.'

Tom did as he was bidden. Another secretary began to read a preamble

concerning the expenses of the late king's household, which had amounted to

Pounds during the preceding six months — a sum so vast that it made

Tom Canty gasp; he gasped again when the fact appeared that 20000 of this

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Money were still owing and unpaid; and once more when it appeared that the

king's coffers were about empty, and his twelve hundred servants much

Embarrassed for lack of the wages due them. Tom spoke out, with lively

Apprehension.

'We be going to the dogs, 'tis plain. 'Tis meet and necessary that we take a

Smaller house and set the servants at large, sith they be of no value but to

Make delay, and trouble one with offices that harass the spirit and shame the

Soul, they misbecoming any but a doll, that hath nor brains nor hands to help