"
Ralph answered nought, thinking in his mind that this was like enough;
so he rode on soberly, till Roger said:
"Anyhow, thou mayst turn the cold shoulder on me if thou wilt.
Yet were I thee, I would not, for so it is, both that I can help thee,
as I deem, in time to come, and that I have helped thee somewhat
in time past."
Now Ralph was young and could not abide the blame of thanklessness;
so he said, "Nay, nay, fellow, go we on together to the Flower de Luce."
Roger nodded his head and grumbled somewhat, and they made
no stay except that now and again Ralph drew rein to look
at goodly things in the street, for there were many open
booths therein, so that the whole street looked like a market.
The houses were goodly of building, but not very tall,
the ways wide and well-paved. Many folk were in the street,
going up and down on their errands, and both men and women of them
seemed to Ralph stout and strong, but not very fair of favour.
Withal they seemed intent on their business, and payed little
heed to Ralph and his fellow, though he was by his attire
plainly a stranger.
Now Ralph sees a house more gaily adorned than most, and a sign hung
out from it whereon was done an image of St. Loy, and underneath the same
a booth on which was set out weapons and war-gear exceeding goodly;
and two knaves of the armourer were standing by to serve folk,
and crying their wares with "what d'ye lack?" from time to time.
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