12
The cobler thought every day a month
till he had been at court to see his new acquaintance, and was troubled how he should get leave of his wife Joan, for he could not get without her knowledge, by reason he did resolve, to make him- self as fine as he could, for his wife al- ways kept the keys of his holiday clothes, whereupon one evening as they sat at supper, finding her in a very good hu- mour, 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 fel- low that ever he met withal. Husband, quoth she, because you have been so in- genuous 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 to
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 husband rise and pull off his shirt. Then she washed him with warm
