More than one Roundhead looked at another during this declaration; and
all but the two youngsters appeared more than usually intent upon
whatever they were employed about before the Rabbi's entrance. Youth is
a bad courtier, ever preferring frolic and amusement to sobriety and
attention. They had been at once piqued and pleased by Robin's
smartness, and resolved to whet their own wit upon so well-tempered a
steel.
"Wert ever at court before?" inquired the younger.
"No, sir, an' please ye."
"And what think ye of it?"
"Nothing as yet, sir."
"Nothing! how is that?"
"Because I have not had time; and, if the small things of life require
thoughtfulness, how much more must the great things of a court!"
"Shouldst like to turn Christian and live at court?"
"Heaven forbid! All I should be turned to would be ridicule, and that is
a wonderful lowerer of the consequence of even a serving man----"
"Hush!" said the elder page--"there goes Colonel John Jones."
As the brother-in-law of the Protector approached, the several persons
in the hall rose and saluted him with considerable respect. His aspect
was stern and rigid: his whole person firm and erect; and whatever his
faults might have been, he gave one the idea of a person who, doing
wrong, thought it right. His eyes were generally upturned, and there was
a good deal of enthusiasm in the expression of the upper portion of his
countenance, while the firm-set mouth and broad muscular chin betokened
the most inflexible resolution. He proceeded towards the cord we have
before mentioned, exchanged a few words with the sentry, and then
returned to the door whereby he had entered. While unclosing it, he
perceived Robin, and, struck by his Jewish appearance, altered his
course and approached him.
The Ranger bent most lowlily to the ground, for he well knew the
veneration this man excited both amongst soldiers and Puritans.
"One of the cast-aways within the sanctuary!" he said in a stern
reproving voice. "How is it?"
"Sir, his master, the Rabbi, tarrieth with his Highness," replied the
elder page.
"It is evil, and of evil," returned Colonel Jones, with still more
severity, "The clean and the unclean, the believer and the unbeliever,
the offscouring of the earth with the chosen of the Lord! Why is he not
cast forth, yea into outer darkness? Why should the filthy vulture make
his nest with the eagles? Dog of a Jew, out, into the highway!"