He brought them in, and bade them sit on such stools or bundles
of stuff as were there. But withal he brought out victual nowise ill,
though it were but simple also, of venison of the wildwood,
with some little deal of cakes baked on the hearth, and he poured
for them also both milk and wine.
They were well content with the banquet, and when they were full, Roger said:
"Now, my Lord, like as oft befalleth minstrels, ye have had your wages before
your work. Fall to, then, and pay me the scot by telling me all that hath
befallen you since (woe worth the while!) my Lady died,--I must needs say,
for thy sake."
"'All' is a big word," said Ralph, "but I will tell thee somewhat.
Yet I bid thee take note that I and this ancient wise one, and my
Lady withal, deem that I am drawn by my kindred to come to their help,
and that time presses."
Roger scowled somewhat on Ursula; but he said: "Lord and master,
let not that fly trouble thy lip. For so I deem of it, that whatsoever
time ye may lose by falling in with me, ye may gain twice as much
again by hearkening my tale and the rede that shall go with it.
And I do thee to wit that the telling of thy tale shall unfreeze mine;
so tarry not, if ye be in haste to be gone, but let thy tongue wag."
Ralph smiled, and without more ado told him all that had befallen him;
and of Swevenham and Utterbol, and of his captivity and flight;
and of the meeting in the wood, and of the Sage (who there was),
and of the journey to the Well, and what betid there and since,
and of the death of the Champion of the Dry Tree.
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