CHAPTER 7
An Adventure by the Way
When morrow dawned they arose betimes and did on their worldly raiment;
and when they had eaten a morsel they made them ready for the road,
and the elder gave them victual for the way in their saddle-bags, saying:
"This shall suffice for the passing days, and when it is gone ye have
learned what to do."
Therewithall they gat to horse; but Ralph would have the Elder
ride his nag, while he went afoot by the side of Ursula.
So the Sage took his bidding, but smiled therewith, and said:
"Thou art a King's son and a friendly young man, else had I said
nay to this; for it needeth not, whereas I am stronger than thou,
so hath my draught of the Well dealt with me."
Thus then they went their ways; but Ralph noted of Ursula
that she was silent and shy with him, and it irked him so much,
that at last he said to her: "My friend, doth aught ail me
with thee? Wilt thou not tell me, so that I may amend it?
For thou are grown of few words with me and turnest thee from me,
and seemest as if thou heedest me little. Thou art as a fair
spring morning gone cold and overcast in the afternoon.
What is it then? we are going a long journey together,
and belike shall find little help or comfort save in each other;
and ill will it be if we fall asunder in heart, though we
be nigh in body."
She laughed and reddened therewithal; and then her countenance fell and she
looked piteously on him and said: "If I seemed to thee as thou sayest,
I am sorry; for I meant not to be thus with thee as thou deemest.
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