e again, Osberne spake: "Thou, grandsire,
art the master of Wethermel, but of late years hast thou suffered me
to share in thy mastership; nay, thou hast laid many charges on me
which I have taken, and done with them according to my might. Now
therefore meseemeth that thou wouldst scarce have it otherwise but
that somewhat of my redes and my will and my might should be left
after me when I am gone; but if I err in this my thought, I pray thee
say as much, and I will leave the matter where it stands, and thou to
be sole and only master of Wethermel whiles I am away."

Spake Nicholas thereat, and said that freely would he grant it that
Osberne's redes and well-doing should still be felt at Wethermel, and
that for his own part the governance of an house so great and lordly
as Wethermel had now become was overmuch of a burden to him, and that
gladly would he take to any man whom Osberne would put in his place;
and in good sooth he deemed he wotted who it would be.

Then turned Osberne to Stephen and said: "Thou, Stephen, art more in
the heart of my redes than any man else, and thou art both a wise man
as I deem, and a proven champion: so if I leave thee here in my skin,
wilt thou do the best for me, and be debonnaire with Master Nicholas
here and with my grandam, and kind to all the folk?" Said Stephen: "I
will do my best thereto, and will pray this of the folk, that they
will not hate me because I am not thou." At that word all they gave
him a welcome cheer, whereas their hearts burned within them for love
of Osberne and for praise of his words and for sorrow of losing him
and hope of his return; so that at that point of time themseemed they
might promise anything.

But Osberne said: "Stephen, my friend and fellow, reach out thine hand
that I give thee hansel before all of these of what mastership there
is in me." Even so did Stephen, and they clasped hands thereon.

After this Osberne looked about him and said: "Lo friends, how the
dusk has been creeping in on us amidst all this talk. So now do ye
women dight the board and light the candles within the hall, that we
may eat and drink together this last time for a long while."

Even so it was done, and all folk sat to meat, and thereafter was the
drink brought in, and they drank all a cup to Osberne, and he to them;
and then was the cup filled for Wethermel, and then again for the
Dale; and the last cup was for Osberne's luck.

Then came a word into his mouth, and he