bowman, "and they crackle
yet at the thought of it. This other comrade of mine is a right learned
clerk, for all that he is so young, hight Alleyne, the son of Edric,
brother to the Socman of Minstead."

"Young man," quoth Sir Nigel, sternly, "if you are of the same way of
thought as your brother, you may not pass under portcullis of mine."

"Nay, fair sir," cried Aylward hastily, "I will be pledge for it that
they have no thought in common; for this very day his brother hath set
his dogs upon him, and driven him from his lands."

"And are you, too, of the White Company?" asked Sir Nigel. "Hast had
small experience of war, if I may judge by your looks and bearing."

"I would fain to France with my friends here," Alleyne answered; "but I
am a man of peace--a reader, exorcist, acolyte, and clerk."

"That need not hinder," quoth Sir Nigel.

"No, fair sir," cried the bowman joyously. "Why, I myself have served
two terms with Arnold de Cervolles, he whom they called the archpriest.
By my hilt! I have seen him ere now, with monk's gown trussed to his
knees, over his sandals in blood in the fore-front of the battle. Yet,
ere the last string had twanged, he would be down on his four bones
among the stricken, and have them all houseled and shriven, as quick as
shelling peas. Ma foi! there were those who wished that he would have
less care for their souls and a little more for their bodies!"

"It is well to have a learned clerk in every troop," said Sir Nigel. "By
St. Paul, there are men so caitiff that they think more of a scrivener's
pen than of their lady's smile, and do their devoir in hopes that they
may fill a line in a chronicle or make a tag to a jongleur's romance. I
remember well that, at the siege of Retters, there was a little, sleek,
fat clerk of the name of Chaucer, who was so apt at rondel, sirvente, or
tonson, that no man dare give back a foot from the walls, lest he find
it all set down in his rhymes and sung by every underling and varlet
in the camp. But, my soul's bird, you hear me prate as though all were
decided, when I have not yet taken counsel either with you or with my
lady mother. Let us to the chamber, while these strangers find such fare
as pantry and cellar may furnish."

"The night air strikes chill," said the lady, and turned down the road
with her hand upon her lord's arm. The three comrades dropped behind and
followed: Aylward much the lighter for having accomplished his mission,
Alleyne f