`` Hide me , then , '' said Dick , `` put me behind the arras , shut me in a chest , or what ye will , so that I may be here on your return . Indeed , fair lady , '' he added , `` bear this in mind , that we are sore bested , and may never look upon each other 's face from this night forward till we die . '' At this the young lady melted ; and when , a little after , the bell summoned Sir Daniel 's household to the board , Dick was planted very stiffly against the wall , at a place where a division in the tapestry permitted him to breathe the more freely , and even to see into the room . He had not been long in this position , when he was somewhat strangely disturbed . The silence , in that upper storey of the house , was only broken by the flickering of the flames and the hissing of a green log in the chimney ; but presently , to Dick 's strained hearing , there came the sound of some one walking with extreme precaution ; and soon after the door opened , and a little black-faced , dwarfish fellow , in Lord Shoreby 's colours , pushed first his head , and then his crooked body , into the chamber . His mouth was open , as though to hear the better ; and his eyes , which were very bright , flitted restlessly and swiftly to and fro . He went round and round the room , striking here and there upon the hangings ; but Dick , by a miracle , escaped his notice . Then he looked below the furniture , and examined the lamp ; and , at last , with an air of cruel disappointment , was preparing to go away as silently as he had come , when down he dropped upon his knees , picked up something from among the rushes on the floor , examined it , and , with every signal of delight , concealed it in the wallet at his belt . Dick 's heart sank , for the object in question was a tassel from his own girdle ; and it was plain to him that this dwarfish spy , who took a malign delight in his employment , would lose no time in bearing it to his master , the baron . He was half-tempted to throw aside the arras , fall upon the scoundrel , and , at the risk of his life , remove the telltale token . And while he was still hesitating , a new cause of concern was added . A voice , hoarse and broken by drink , began to be audible from the stair ; and presently after , uneven , wandering , and heavy footsteps sounded without along the passage . `` What make ye here , my merry men , among the greenwood shaws ? '' sang the voice . `` What make ye here ? Hey ! sots , what make ye here ? '' it added , with a rattle of drunken laughter ; and then , once more breaking into song : `` If ye should drink the clary wine , Fat Friar John , ye friend o ' mine -- If I should eat , and ye should drink , Who shall sing the mass , d'ye think ? '' Lawless , alas ! rolling drunk , was wandering the house , seeking for a corner wherein to slumber off the effect of his potations .
XXXXX inwardly raged .
Dick John Shoreby arras d'ye hangings potations shaws storey tassel