"
"Yea," said Redhead, "and how wilt thou work in the matter?"
Said Ralph; "How would it be if I came hither in other guise
than mine own, so that I should not be known either by the damsel
or her tyrants?"
Said Redhead: "There were peril in that; yet hope also.
Yea, and in one way thou mightest do it; to wit, if thou wert to find
that Sage, and tell him thy tale: if he be of good will to thee,
he might then change not thy gear only, but thy skin also;
for he hath exceeding great lore."
"Well," said Ralph, "Thou mayst look upon it as certain that on that aforesaid
night, I will do my best to shake off this company of tyrant and thralls,
unless I hear fresh tidings, so that I must needs change my purpose.
But I will ask thee to give me some token that all holds together
some little time beforehand." Quoth Redhead: "Even so shall it be;
thou shalt see me at latest on the eve of the night of thy departure;
but on the night before that if it be anywise possible."
"Now will I go away from thee," said Ralph, "and I thank thee
heartily for thine help, and deem thee my friend. And if thou
think better of fleeing with me, thou wilt gladden me the more."
Redhead shook his head but spake not, and Ralph went his ways
down the dale.
CHAPTER 39
The Lord of Utterbol Makes Ralph a Free Man
He went to and fro that day and the next, and none meddled with him;
with Redhead he spake not again those days, but had talk with Otter
and David, who were blithe enough with him.
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