And now if this also be a dream, let it speedily begone, and let us
wake up in the ancient House at Upmeads, which thou hast never seen--
and thou and I in each other's arms."
CHAPTER 13
They Come to Whitwall Again
Herewith they were come to a little thorp where the way sundered,
for the highway went on to Whitwall, and a byway turned off
to Swevenham. Thereby was a poor hostel, where they stayed
and rested for the night, because evening was at hand.
So when those four had eaten and drunk there together, Ralph spoke
and said: "Michael-a-dale, thou art for Swevenham to-morrow?"
"Yea, lord," said Michael, "belike I shall yet find kindred there;
and I call to thy mind that I craved of thee to lead me to Swevenham
as payment for all if I had done aught for thy service."
"Sooth is that," said Ralph, "thou shalt go with my good-will;
and, as I deem, thou shalt not lack company betwixt here and Swevenham,
whereas our dear friend here, the friend of thy father's father,
is going the same road."
Then the Sage of Swevenham leaned across the board, and said:
"What word hath come out of thy mouth, my son?" Said Ralph,
smiling on him: "It is the last word which we have heard from
thee of this matter, though verily it was spoken a while ago.
What wilt thou add to it as now?" "This," quoth the Sage,
"that I will leave thee no more till thou biddest me go from thee.
Was this word needful?"
Ralph reached his hand to him and said: "It is well and more;
but the road hence to Upmeads may yet be a rough one.
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