As for the smaller man Ralph had no knowledge of him, for he could
see but little of his face, whereas he was wrapped up in a cloak,
for as warm as the evening was, and wore a slouch hat withal;
but his eyes seemed great and wondrous bright.
But when they were gone Ralph asked Roger if he knew aught of them, or if they
had told him aught. "Nay," said Roger, "they came in here as I sat alone,
and had their meat, and spake nought to me, and little to each other.
I deem them not to be of the Burg. Nay, sooth to say, I doubt if they
be true men."
As he spake came in a sort of the townsmen somewhat merry
and noisy, and called for meat and drink and more lights;
so that the board was brought and the hall was speedily astir.
These men, while supper was being dight, fell to talking to Ralph
and Roger, and asking them questions of whence and whither,
but nowise uncourteously: to whom Roger answered with the tale
which he had told Ralph, and Ralph told what he would,
and that was but little.
But when the board was dight they bade them sit down with them and eat.
Ralph sat down at once, and Roger would have served him, but Ralph bade
him do it not, and constrained him to sit by his side, and they two sat
a little apart from the townsmen.
So when they had eaten their fill, and wine was brought,
and men were drinking kindly, Ralph began to ask Roger concerning
those women whom he had seen in the street, and the captives whom
he had seen brought in by the host, and if they were of one kindred,
and generally how it was with them: and he spake somewhat
softly as if he would not break into the talk of the townsmen:
but Roger answered him in a loud voice so that all could hear:
"Yea, lord, I will tell thee the tale of them, which setteth
forth well both the wise policy and the great mercy of the folk
of the Burg and their rulers.
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