ir deeds are
like unto their kinlessness."

"And are thy deeds so good?" said Ralph. "Are they ill," said Bull,
"when they are done against the foemen?" Said Ralph: "And are all men
your foemen who pass through these mountains?" "All," said Bull, "but
they be of the kindred or their known friends."

"Well, Bull," said Ralph, "I like thy deeds little, that thou shouldest
ravish men and women from their good life, and sell them for a price
into toil and weariness and stripes."

Said Bull: "How much worse do we than the chapmen by his debtor, and
the lord of the manor by his villein?" Said Ralph: "Far worse, if ye
did but know it, poor men!" Quoth Bull: "But I neither know it, nor
can know it, nay, not when thou sayest it; for it is not so. And look
you, master, this life of a bought thrall is not such an exceeding evil
life; for oft they be dealt with softly and friendly, and have other
thralls to work for them under their whips."

Ralph laughed: "Which shall I make thee, friend Bull, the upper or the
under?" Bull reddened, but said naught. Said Ralph: "Or where shall I
sell thee, that I may make the best penny out of my good luck and
valiancy?" Bull looked chopfallen: "Nay," said he in a wheedling
voice, "thou wilt not sell me, thou? For I deem that thou wilt be a
good master to me: and," he broke into sudden heat hereat, "if I have
another master I shall surely slay him whate'er betide."

Ralph laughed again, and said: "Seest thou what an evil craft ye
follow, when thou deemest it better to be slain with bitter torments
(as thou shouldest be if thou slewest thy master) than to be sold to
any master save one exceeding good?"

Bull held his peace hereat, but presently he said: "Well, be our craft
good or evil, it is gainful; and whiles there is prey taken right good,
which, for my part, I would not sell, once I had my hand thereon."
"Yea, women?" said Ralph. "Even so," said Bull, "such an one was taken
by my kinsman Bull Nosy but a little while agone, whom he took down to
the market at Cheaping Knowe, as I had not done if I had once my arms
about her. For she was as fair as a flower; and yet so well built,
that she could bear as much as a strong man in some ways; and, saith
Nosy, when she was taken, there was no weeping or screeching in her,
but patience rather and quietness, and intent to bear all and
live....Master, may I ask thee a question?" "Ask on," said Ralph.
Said Bull: "The pair of beads a