beads on his neck and kissed and
fondled him before he sat down, while the goodman looked on, grinning
rather sheepishly, but said nought to them; and only called on his boy
to lead the destrier to stable. So when they were set down, the
chapman took up the word where it had been dropped, and said: "So,
Lord Ralph, thou must needs take to adventures, being, as thou deemest,
full grown. That is all one as the duck taketh to water despite of the
hen that hath hatched her. Well, it was not to be thought that Upmeads
would hold you lords much longer. Or what is gone with my lords your
brethren?"

Said Ralph: "They have departed at all adventure, north, east, and
west, each bearing our father's blessing and a bag of pennies. And to
speak the truth, goodman, for I perceive I am no doctor at lying, my
father and mother would have me stay at home when my brethren were
gone, and that liketh me not; therefore am I come out to seek my luck
in the world: for Upmeads is good for a star-gazer, maybe, or a
simpler, or a priest, or a worthy good carle of the fields, but not for
a king's son with the blood running hot in his veins. Or what sayest
thou, gossip?"

Quoth the dame: "I could weep for thy mother; but for thee nought at
all. It is good that thou shouldest do thy will in the season of youth
and the days of thy pleasure. Yea, and I deem that thou shalt come
back again great and worshipful; and I am called somewhat foreseeing.
Only look to it that thou keep the pretty thing that I have just given
thee."

"Well," said the chapman, "this is fine talk about pleasure and the
doing of one's will; nevertheless a whole skin is good wares, though it
be not to be cheapened in any market of the world. Now, lord, go thou
where thou wilt, whether I say go or abide; and forsooth I am no man of
King Peter's, that I should stay thee. As for the name of the next
town, it is called Higham-on-the-Way, and is a big town plenteous of
victuals, with strong walls and a castle, and a very rich abbey of
monks: and there is peace within its walls, because the father abbot
wages a many men to guard him and his, and to uphold his rights against
all comers; wherein he doth wisely, and also well. For much folk
flocketh to his town and live well therein; and there is great recourse
of chapmen thither. No better market is there betwixt this and
Babylon. Well, Sir Ralph, I rede thee if thou comest unhurt to
Higham-on-the-Way, go no further