Other houses there were in the vale; two or three cots,
to wit, on the slope of the hither down, and some half-dozen
about the homestead; and above and beyond all these,
on a mound somewhat away from the river and the grange,
a great square tower, with barriers and bailey all dight
ready for war, and with a banner of the Lord's hanging out.
But between the tower and the river stood as now a great
pavilion of snow-white cloth striped with gold and purple;
and round about it were other tents, as though a little army
were come into the vale.
So when they looked into that fair place, Otter the Captain
rose in the stirrups and cast up his hand for joy, and cried
out aloud: "Now, young knight, now we are come home:
how likest thou my Lord's land?"
"It is a fair land," said Ralph; "but is there not come some one to bid
thy Lord battle for it? or what mean the tents down yonder?"
Said Otter, laughing: "Nay, nay, it hath not come to that yet.
Yonder is my Lord's lady-wife, who hath come to meet him,
but in love, so to say, not in battle--not yet. Though I
say not that the cup of love betwixt them be brim-full. But
this it behoveth me not to speak of, though thou art to be my
brother-in-arms, since we are to tilt together presently:
for lo! yonder the tilt-yard, my lad."
Therewith he pointed to the broad green meadow: but Ralph said:
"How canst thou, a free man, be brother-in-arms to a thrall?"
"Nay, lad," quoth Otter, "let not that wasp sting thee:
for even such was I, time was.
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