But beside him sat Joyce,
and it seemed that he thought it naught but good to hold her hand
and play with the fingers thereof, though all those great men were by;
and Ralph had no thought of her but that she was the Queen.
So Ralph made obeisance to the Lord and stood awaiting his word;
and the Lord said: "We have been thinking of thee, young man,
and have deemed thy lot to be somewhat of the hardest,
if thou must needs be a thrall, since thou art both young
and well-born, and so good a man of thine hands. Now, wilt thou
be our man at Utterbol?"
Ralph delayed his answer a space and looked at Otter, who seemed to him
to frame a Yea with his lips, as who should say, take it. So he said:
"Lord, thou art good to me, yet mayst thou be better if thou wilt."
"Yea, man!" said the Lord knitting his brows; "What shall it be? say thy say,
and be done with it."
"Lord," said Ralph, "I pray thee to give me my choice,
whether I shall go with thee to Utterbol or forbear going?"
"Why, lo you!" said the Lord testily, and somewhat sourly;
"thou hast the choice. Have I not told thee that thou art free?"
Then Ralph knelt before him, and said: "Lord, I thank thee from
a full heart, in that thou wilt suffer me to depart on mine errand,
for it is a great one." The scowl deepened on the Lord's face,
and he turned away from Ralph, and said presently:
"Otter take the Knight away and let him have all his armour and
weapons and a right good horse; and then let him do as he will,
either ride with us, or depart if he will, and whither he will.
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