|
May Godforgive me if I put my hand to any such parchment! As safe as if he were
in Avelard with all the armed west aroundhim. When St Martin starts hissummer
before the feast of Simon and Jude young blood must suffer. He had had all the
sleep he needed, and now satup, very wakeful.
The whipjack laid his horny claw
on the wet clouts on Peters brow.
We are fated, it seems, toforgather in
strange places. Is it not better tostablish her securely, even if she herself
have to pay in part forthat security?
Welcome, old friend, and I prithee
presentyour company!
The whipjacks humour changed, and he was again the jovial
ruffian.
The trouble has begunthere, and there is word that it is spreading
northward. Arrived at Avelard, he was taken straight to my lords chamber.
But
her possessions have grown somewhat cumbersome for herhandling.
Once or twice
sheappeared to be nerving herself for words which she found it hard toutter.
Peter asked, and the boys wolfish eyes answered. I know not if John Naps be
there, but I have the right ofentry, and no Fettiplace durst follow.
I am too
near the grave to do aught to imperil my salvation. The sky curdles too much of
an evening, and the wildgeese are flighting in from the sea. Trust me, I am no
less devouta son of the Church than you, though I was not bred in a cloister.
The rising in the east is anaffair of peasants, which the Kings men-at-arms
will crush. The ways of the Lord are altogether wise. You have seen the vanity
of earthly glory, and yoursoul is loosed from its moorings. With the plain
truth of Gods Scriptures, said Simon. Maybe, when you have seen something of
those who followyou, you will come to another mind. You are mistaken in me, my
lord, he said at length. My hand would never be lifted against suchas he.
He
did not seek kingdoms ordukedoms, or purple and fine linen, or trampling armies
behind him. In spite of my habit, friend, I am not against you.
You must
haveweighty business on your hands. Who is this Master Bonamy that spends his
time on the road betweenOxford and Avelard? The priestsare broidering a banner
with the Five Wounds, and Neville is goneto Wales.
Tis the Kings law troubles
us, said Darking.
The sky curdles too much of an evening, and the wildgeese are
flighting in from the sea.
At supper Lord Avelard kept his room, but Sabine
appeared. God has not made all His servants of one mould.
|
