Page:History of the King and the cobler (7).pdf/11

 out her knowledge, by reason he did resolve to make himself as fine as he could, for his wife always kept the keys of his holiday cloaths, whereupon one evening as they sat at supper, finding her in very good humour, he began to lay open his mind to her, telling her the whole story of their acquaintance, repeating it over and over again, that he was the most honest fellow that ever he met with. Husband, quoth she, because you have been so ingenious to tell me the whole truth, I will give you leave to make a holiday for this once;-you shall go to court, and I will make you as fine as I can.

So it was agreed that he should go the court the next day; whereupon Joan rose betimes the next morning, to brush up her husband's holiday clothes, and made him as fine as she could. She washed and ironed the lace-band and made his shoes shine that he might see his face in them; having done this, she made her