Here food was waiting for them, prepared by the old Sister Agnes. It was
a somewhat silent meal of which no one ate very much except Grey Dick,
who remarked aloud that as this might be his last breakfast it should be
plentiful, since, shriven or unshriven, it was better to die upon a full
stomach.
Master de Cressi called him an impious knave. Then he asked him if he
had plenty of arrows, because if not he would find four dozen of the
best that could be made in Norwich done up in a cloak on the grey horse
he was to ride, and a spare bow also.
"I thank you for the arrows, Master, but as for the bow, I use none but
my own, the black bow which the sea brought to me and death alone shall
part from me. Perchance both will be wanted, since the Claverings will
scarcely let us out of the sanctuary if they can help it. Still, it is
true they may not know where we lie hid, and that is our best chance of
eating more good breakfasts this side the grave."
"A pest on your evil talk," said de Cressi with an uneasy laugh, for
he loved Hugh best of all his sons and was afraid of him. "Get through
safely, man, and though I like not your grim face and bloody ways you
shall lose little by it. I promise you," he added in a whisper, "that if
you bring my boy safe home again, you shall not want for all your life;
ay, and if there is need, I'll pay your blood-scot for you.
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