Nothing said , but naught done except I stood by them , and then done amiss . I thought the countryside was fair bewitched . ' ` It was , sure-ly , ' said Puck , knees under chin . ` Did you never suspect ary one ? ' ` Not till Sebastian came for his guns , and John Collins played him the same dog 's tricks as he 'd played me with my ironwork . Week in , week out , two of three serpentines would be flawed in the casting , and only fit , they said , to be re-melted . Then John Collins would shake his head , and vow he could pass no cannon for the King 's service that were not perfect . Saints ! How Sebastian stormed ! I know , for we sat on this bench sharing our sorrows inter-common . ` When Sebastian had fumed away six weeks at Lindens and gotten just six serpentines , Dirk Brenzett , Master of the Cygnet hoy , sends me word that the block of stone he was fetching me from France for our new font he 'd hove overboard to lighten his ship , chased by Andrew Barton up to Rye Port . ' ` Ah ! The pirate ! ' said Dan . ` Yes . And while I am tearing my hair over this , Ticehurst Will , my best mason , comes to me shaking , and vowing that the Devil , horned , tailed , and chained , has run out on him from the church-tower , and the men would work there no more . So I took 'em off the foundations , which we were strengthening , and went into the Bell Tavern for a cup of ale . Says Master John Collins : `` Have it your own way , lad ; but if I was you , I 'd take the sinnification o ' the sign , and leave old Barnabas ' Church alone ! '' And they all wagged their sinful heads , and agreed . Less afraid of the Devil than of me -- as I saw later .
` When I brought my sweet news to Lindens , XXXXX was limewashing the kitchen-beams for Mother .
Barnabas Brenzett Dan France Lindens Port Puck Sebastian Week Will