Now it stood at bay
upon the plain of Crecy, there to conquer or to die.
"Will the French fight to-day, what think you?" asked Hugh of Grey Dick,
who had just descended from an apple-tree which grew in the garden of a
burnt-out cottage. Here he had been engaged on the twofold business
of surveying the disposition of the English army and in gathering a
pocketful of fruit which remained upon the tree's topmost boughs.
"I think that these are very good apples," answered Dick, speaking with
his mouth full. "Eat while you get the chance, master, for, who knows,
the next you set your teeth in may be of the kind that grew upon the
Tree of Life in a very old garden," and he handed him two of the best.
Then he turned to certain archers, who clustered round with outstretched
hands, saying: "Why should I give you my apples, fellows, seeing that
you were too lazy to climb and get them for yourselves? None of you ever
gave me anything when I was hungry, after the sack of Caen, in which
my master, being squeamish, would take no part. Therefore I went to bed
supperless, because, as I remember you said, I had not earned it. Still,
as I don't want to fight the French with a bellyache, go scramble for
them."
Then, with a quick motion, he flung the apples to a distance, all save
one, which he presented to a tall man who stood near, adding:
"Take this, Jack Green, in token of fellowship, since I have nothing
else to offer you.
Pages:
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163