r Prior here; and the tale is short enough: that
we have overthrown them and slain the more part, and the others are now
being driven like a herd of swine into their stronghold of the Wood
Debateable, where, forsooth, I shall be ere the world is one month
older. 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."

Ralph led them round by the ford, so that they might not come across
the corpses of the robbers; but already were the Upmeads carles at work
digging trenches wherein to bury them.

So Ralph led his father and his mother to the gate of the garth of High
House; then he got off his horse and helped them down, and as he so
dealt with his father, he said to him: "Thou art springy and limber
yet, father; maybe thou wilt put on thine helm this