set his journeymen to work at once to make some
more of similar fit and fashion.

Walter felt strange in his new attire, and by no means relished the
tightness of the garments, which was strictly demanded by the fashion of
the day. His long hose, one of which was of a deep maroon, the other
a bright yellow, came far up above the knee, then came a short pair
of trunks of similar colours divided in the middle. The tight-fitting
doublet was short and circled at the waist by a buff belt mounted in
silver, and was of the same colours as the hose and trunks. On his
head was a cap, peaked in front; this was of maroon, with a short
erect feather of yellow. The long-pointed shoes matched the rest of the
costume. There were three other suits similar in fashion, but different
in colour; two like the first were of cloth, the third was of white and
blue silk, to be worn on grand occasions.

"You look a very pretty figure, Walter," Geoffrey said, "and will be
able to hold your own among the young gallants of the court. If you lack
somewhat of courtly manners it will matter not at all, since you are
leaving so soon for the wars.

"The dress sets off your figure, which is fully two years in advance of
your age, seeing that hard work has widened you out and thickened your
muscles. I need not tell you, lad, not to be quarrelsome, for that was
never your way; but just at first your companions may try some jests
with you, as is always the manner of young men with newcomers, but take
them in a good spirit and be sure that, seeing the strength of arm and
skill which you showed yesterday and the day before, none will care to
push matters with you unduly."

One of the journeymen accompanied Walter to Westminster to carry up from
the boat the valise with his clothes and the armour which he had worn
in the sports. Sir Walter received the lad with much kindness and
introduced him to his future companions. They were five in number;
the eldest was a man of some thirty years old, a Hainaulter, who had
accompanied Sir Walter Manny to England at the time when the latter
first came over as a young squire in the suite of the Princess Philippa.
He was devotedly attached to the knight, his master, and although he
might several times have received the rank of knighthood for his bravery
in the field, he preferred remaining in his position as esquire and
faithful friend of his master.

The other four were between the ages of nineteen and twenty-one, a