And in the doing of all this have but three of
our men been slain and a few hurt, amongst whom is thy son Hugh,
but not sorely."
"O yea, son," said his mother, "he shall do well enough.
But now with thy leave, holy Prior, we will depart, so that we
may sleep in the High House to-night, and feel that my dear
son's hand is over us to ward us."
Then Ralph knelt before them, and King Peter and his wife blessed
their son when they had kissed and embraced each other, and they wept
for joy of him. The Prior also, who was old, and a worthy prelate,
and an ancient friend of King Peter, might not refrain his tears
at the joy of his friends as he gave Ralph his blessing. And then,
when Ralph had risen up and the horses were come, he said to him:
"One thing thou art not to forget, young conqueror, to wit,
that thou art to come here early one day, and tell me all thy tale
at full length."
"Yea, Prior," said Ralph, "or there is the High House of Upmeads for thee
to use as thine own, and a rest for thee of three or four days while thou
hearkenest the tale; for it may need that."
"Hearken," said King Peter softly to the Dame, "how he reckons it all
his own; my day is done, my dear." He spake smiling, and she said:
"Soothly he is waxen masterful, and well it becometh the dear youngling."
Now they get to horse and ride their ways, while all folk blessed them.
The two old folk rode fast and pressed their nags whatever Ralph
might do to give them pastime of words; so they came into the plain
field of Upmeads two hours before sunset; and King Peter said:
"Now I account it that I have had one day more of my life than was
my due, and thou, son, hast added it to the others whereas thou didst
not promise to bring me hither till morrow.
Pages:
721
722
723
724
725
726
727
728
729
730
731
732
733
734
735
736
737
738
739
740
741
742
743
744
745