This story has a sequel. My father told it once at the dinner-table of
one of the canons in Norwich. Every one laughed more or less, all but
one, the Rev. "Hervey Du Bois," a rural dean from the Fens. He alone
made no sign. But he was staying in the house; and that night the
Canoness was aroused from her sleep by a strange gurgling sound
proceeding from his room. She listened and listened, till, convinced
that their guest must be in a fit, she at last arose, and listened
outside his door. A fit he was in--sure enough--of laughter. He was
sitting up in bed, rocking backwards and forwards, and ever and again
ejaculating, "Why, John bor, yeou must ha' meant to bile yar master
alive." And then he went off into another roar.