He was a roughly dressed countryman, wearing huge
leathern bootsmuddied to the knee. For you must know, sir, that I have lost all
mypoets.
The musician lowered his violin, smiling. An
affairbetween some forester and a poaching hind, he concluded, and wouldfain have
turned aside.
Nay, perhaps the company is the better cloak for
you. Besides, the lilt sung by the fire still hummed in hisears.
From this madman, whoever he might be, he ran no
riskof betrayal. The young man by craning his neck could see the new figure clear
inthe glow of the embers.
The grip had relaxed and the boy gave a twist which
freed him. If your Grace will pardon me, your charms can never lack
asinger.
It was clearly afragment, intended by the compiler
to form part of an introductionto the work. He pulled out his chart of the journey
andstudied it with puzzled eyes.
It has seen priest turn to presbyter and presbyter
toparson and has only smiled.
For me, I make it my business to travel light,
caring nothing forKing or party or church. Youvalue life, but you will surrender it
joyfully for a whimsy ofhonour.
If you can make shift with poorfare there be supper
and lodging waiting for you.
Sir, among these hills,which I now regard, were
spent some of the bitterest moments of mylife.
I take it you are not alone in your
calling?
He pulled out his chart of the journey andstudied
it with puzzled eyes. We dare not offend the geniusloci, and outrage that plain
commandment. We dare not offend the geniusloci, and outrage that plain commandment.
An October gale was tossing the boughs and whirling thedead bracken, and a cold rain
was beginning. The men by the fire shivered, and one spoke.
Morrow wed best take Mercot Fleet, said one. He
slowed down, laughing, and cocked snooks in thedirection of the
pursuit.
You are about to beat at a barred andbolted door.
Hewas beginning to see a more profitable turn in the business. Hold there, he cried,
and took a pace forward. The traveller left alone in the dell bit his lips with
vexation.