The Champions have lost three men slain outright,
and some fifteen hurt; of whom is thy brother Hugh, but not sorely."
"Better than well is thy story then," said Ralph. "Now let them bring me
a horse." So when he was horsed, he kissed Ursula and went his ways.
And she abode his coming back at Richard's house anigh the water.
CHAPTER 30
Ralph Brings His Father and Mother to Upmeads
Short was the road back again to Wulstead, and whereas the day
was not very old when Ralph came there, he failed not to stop at
Clement's house, and came into the chamber where sat Dame Katherine
in pensive wise nigh to the window, with her open hands in her lap.
Quoth Ralph: "Rejoice, gossip! for neither is Clement hurt, nor I,
and all is done that should be done." She moved her but little,
but the tears came into her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.
"What, gossip?" quoth Ralph; "these be scarce tears of joy;
what aileth thee?" "Nay," said Katherine, "indeed I am joyful
of thy tidings, though sooth to say I looked for none other.
But, dear lord and gossip, forgive me my tears on the day of thy triumph;
for if they be not wholly of joy, so also are they not wholly of sorrow.
But love and the passing of the days are bittersweet within my heart
to-day. Later on thou shalt see few faces more cheerful and merry
in the hall at Upmeads than this of thy gossip's. So be merry now,
and go fetch thy father and thy mother, and rejoice their
hearts that thou hast been even better than thy word to them.
Pages:
719
720
721
722
723
724
725
726
727
728
729
730
731
732
733
734
735
736
737
738
739
740
741
742
743