"Something Rob, us have sweared not to tell o' to anybody, 'till't be
all over an' done. When's I see you at the inn 'twill be over, an' ye
shall hear all about it."
"That be enough, Win?" said in rejoinder the trusting Rob; and the two
great figures went apart in the shadowy night, the separation preceded
by their lips once more meeting in a resonant smack.
On along the streets passed the cadger party; Jack urging Jinkum to
haste by a succession of vociferous "yee-ups," and now and then a sharp
touch of the stick. He seemed angry with himself, or perhaps more at
Winny, for having tarried so long by the gate.
"Good gracious!" he exclaimed in a troubled tone, "what if us get theer
too late? Ye know, the Glo'ster governor told we not to waste one
second o' time. Maybe better keep on straight to the castle. What d'ye
say, Winny?"
"It be but a step to Bird-in-the-Bush, now. Won't take we mor'n ten
minnits; that can't a make much difference. An' us can go faster when's
we've left Jinkum in the inn yard."
Thus counselled and controlled, Jack, as was customary with him, gave
way; and the trio continued on for the Bird-in-the-Bush.