"
Ralph seemed a little troubled at her word, and he said:
"Nay, gossip, though I thank thee for all these good things
as though I had them, yet must I ride away south straightway
after I have breakfasted, and said one word to the goodman.
Goodman, how call ye the next town southward, and how far
is it thither?"
Quoth Clement: "My son, what hast thou to do with riding south?
As thou wottest, going hence south ye must presently ride the hill-country;
and that is no safe journey for a lonely man, even if he be a doughty
knight like to thee, lord."
Said Ralph, reddening withal: "I have an errand that way."
"An errand of King Peter's or thine own?" said Clement.
"Of King Peter's, if ye must wot," said Ralph.
Clement were no chapman had he not seen that the lad was lying;
so he said:
"Fair lord, saving your worship, how would it be as to the speeding
of King Peter's errand, if I brought thee before our mayor, and swore
the peace against thee; so that I might keep thee in courteous prison
till I had sent to thy father of thy whereabouts?"
The young man turned red with anger; but ere he could speak
Dame Katherine said sharply: "Hold thy peace, Clement!
What hast thou to meddle or make in the matter? If our young lord
hath will to ride out and see the world, why should we let him?
Yea, why should his father let him, if it come to that?
Take my word for it that my gossip shall go through the world
and come back to those that love him, as goodly as he went forth.
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