"
Roger said: "All this ye shall learn later on, and shalt find it
but a simple matter; and meanwhile I tell thee again that all is
for thy gain and thy pleasure. So now ride away if thou wilt;
who hindereth thee? certes not I."
"Nay," said Ralph, "I will ride with thee first to that fair house;
and afterwards we shall see what is to hap." "Yea," quoth Roger,
"then let us to horse straightway, so that we may be there
if not before dark night yet at least before bright morn;
for it is yet far away."
CHAPTER 17
Ralph Cometh to the House of Abundance
Therewithal they gat to horse and rode away through that
stony land, wherein was no river, but for water many pools
in the bottoms, with little brooks running from them.
But after a while they came upon a ridge somewhat high,
on the further side whereof was a wide valley well-grassed and
with few trees, and no habitation of man that they might see.
But a wide river ran down the midst of it; and it was now four
hours after noon. Quoth Roger: "The day wears and we shall by no
means reach harbour before dark night, even if we do our best:
art thou well used to the water, lord?" "Much as a mallard is,"
said Ralph. Said Roger: "That is well, for though there is
a ford some mile and a half down stream, for that same reason it
is the way whereby men mostly cross the water into the wildwood;
and here again we are more like to meet foes than well-wishers;
or at the least there will be question of who we are, and whence
and whither; and we may stumble in our answers.
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