O'Toole was the first to break the silence.

"It is a strange thing that there never was a father since Adam who was
not absolutely sure in his heart that his first-born must be a boy. When
you come to think philosophically about it, you'll see that if fathers
had their way the world would be peopled with sons with never a bit of
a lass in any corner to marry them."

O'Toole's reflection, if not a reason for laughter, made a pretext for
it, at which all--even Misset, who was a trifle ashamed of his display
of feeling--eagerly caught. Wogan held his hand out and clasped
Misset's.

"That was a great saying," said he, "but so much sacrifice is not to be
accepted."

Misset, however, was firm. His wife, he said, though naturally timid,
could show a fine spirit on occasion, and would never forgive one of
them if she was left behind. He argued until a compromise was reached.
Misset should lay the matter openly before his wife, and the four
crusaders, to use Wogan's term, would be bound by her decision.

"So you may take it that matter's settled," said Misset. "There will be
five of us."

"Six," said Wogan.

"There's another man to join us, then," said Gaydon. "I have it. Your
servant, Marnier."