In the thorp was a tavern with the sign of the Nicholas, so Ralph
deemed it but right to enter a house which was under the guard
of his master and friend; therefore he lighted down and went in.
Therein he found a lad of fifteen winters, and a maiden spinning,
they two alone, who hailed him and asked his pleasure, and he bade
them bring him meat and drink, and look to his horse, for that he had
a mind to rest a while. So they brought him bread and flesh, and good
wine of the hill-side, in a little hall well arrayed as of its kind;
and he sat down and the damsel served him at table, but the lad,
who had gone to see to his horse, did not come back.
So when he had eaten and drunk, and the damsel was still there,
he looked on her and saw that she was sad and drooping of aspect;
and whereas she was a fair maiden, Ralph, now that he was full,
fell to pitying her, and asked her what was amiss. "For," said he,
"thou art fair and ailest nought; that is clear to see;
neither dwellest thou in penury, but by seeming hast enough and to spare.
Or art thou a servant in this house, and hath any one misused thee?"
She wept at his words, for indeed he spoke softly to her;
then she said: "Young lord, thou art kind, and it is thy
kindness that draweth the tears from me; else it were not well
to weep before a young man: therefore I pray thee pardon me.
As for me, I am no servant, nor has any one misused me:
the folk round about are good and neighbourly; and this house
and the croft, and a vineyard hard by, all that is mine own
and my brother's; that is the lad who hath gone to tend
thine horse.
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